The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Pick Poyle to take Pontefract prize
Carr’ s charge can register first victory
Poyle Vinnie can win for the first time since his transfer to Ruth Carr’s yard when he takes the plunge in the big race of the day at Pontefrac t today.
A strong field has been assembled for the Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap but many of the big-hitters could well need the run, having been off the track for a long time.
That should not apply to Poyle Vinnie, who has been on the go since January.
The eight-year-old gelding did well for former trainer Mick Appleby but showed at Chelmsford this month that Carr is now getting to grips with him.
Poyle Vinnie was beaten two lengths by Tavener in a hot little sprint at the Essex circuit and yet he has been relieved 2lb by the assessor for this race.
He also knows the time of day at Pontefract, having won twice at the Yorkshire circuit.
Though he is not getting any quicker at this advanced stage of his career, a perfectly coherent argument can be made to suggest that he should not be dismissed lightly at the foot of the weights.
Champion jockey Silves-
“He should not be dismissed lightly at foot of the weights”
tre de Sousa has already cut loose this season and can add another winner to his spring tally by guiding Starboy to success in the concluding one-mile handicap on the Pontefract card today.
George Scott’s threeyear-old won nicely at Brighton last autumn and must have given his team optimism upon his return to the fray at Newcastle in March.
Starboy flew home for third place in a one-mile handicap on what was his first spin for five months.
That should set him up a treat for this assignment, while it almost goes without saying that the appointment of De Sousa is a clear statement of intent. eight-race Joe Farrell, ridden by Adam Wedge, was the surprise winner of the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.
The 33-1 chance held off the challenge of Ballyoptic and Tom Bellamy to win after a photo finish. It was a first winner in Scotland for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis.
Vicente, who won in 2016 and 2017, finished fifth as his bid to become the first horse in more than 100 years to land a hat-trick of Scottish Grand National victories.
Wedge said: “I thought the mistake at the last fence was going to cost me. But he stuck his head out all the way to the line. He has the heart of a lion.
“My horse never stopped galloping.”