Horse racing tips: Hexham, Newton Abbot, Pontefract, Sedgefield and Windsor – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Monday, April 23

PONTEFRACT

2.10 -

BENGALI SPIRIT didn’t have much opposition on his debut at Musselburgh last time but he shaped well in second. As you might expect, he was very green there and will improve for the outing. Arriba De Toda looks the pick of the newcomers and it’s interesting to see a 5lb claimer on board for his debut.

2.40

DAWAALEEB has done well in maiden company and won on his debut for new trainer Les Eyre at Newcastle last month. Despite that he has been given what looks a pretty fair mark for this handicap debut over a trip that should suit. He has a fair draw and is open to improvement.

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3.10

ORION’S BOW has poor recent form but he goes well fresh and has come right down the weights to 8lb below his last winning mark. This trip is ideal and he gets the best draw in stall one. He will like the ground and should go very close.

3.40

UPTOWN FUNK has improved as a hurdler since joining trainer Keith Dalgleish and was already a fair performer on the Flat. He hasn’t tried this sort of trip before on the level but he is well handicapped and got 2m at Newcastle before Christmas. He could show more today.

4.10

SHATHARAAT should be good enough to win this on debut for Mark Johnston. He comes from a family that has produced winning sprinters and this doesn’t look the toughest race. Super D J is probably best of those to have seen a racecourse. He pulled hard early on his debut at Kempton before finishing well enough and should improve.

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4.40

LUCKY LUCKY MAN didn’t run badly on his comeback at Newcastle last time. He was beaten just over two lengths despite needing the run and should shape a lot better here. The trip suits and he won’t mind a little bit of cut in the ground.

5.15

CROSSE FIRE returns to turf from 14lb lower than his all-weather mark. He’s just 1lb higher than when winning over course and distance in similar conditions and he comes from a decent draw today. Dragstone Rock is interesting on this handicap debut after finishing a solid third at Kempton last time. There should be plenty of improvement to come.

5.45

HARBOUR PILOT improved for stepping up to this distance at Kempton last time out, finishing well to score. He’s just 2lb higher in the weights today and has a good low draw to go close again.

Hexham

1.50 Whoshotwho

2.20 Sky Full Of Stars

2.50 Ardean Lass

3.20 Skywards Reward

3.50 Beau Sancy

4.20 Melekhov

4.55 Mendip Express

Newton Abbot

1.30 Iniesta

2.00 With Discretion

2.30 Dream Bolt

3.00 Sao

3.30 Sharky’s Spirit

4.00 Cap Du Nord

4.30 Virak

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Sedgefield

5.10 Fort Jefferson

5.40 Justforjames

6.10 Hurricane Dylan

6.40 Midnight Walk

7.10 Russian Royale

7.40 Diplomate Sivola

8.10 It’s O Kay

Windsor

4.50 Merdon Castle

5.20 Nina Petrovna

5.50 Rebecca Rocks

6.20 Stream Song

6.50 Fajjaj

7.20 Overhaugh Street

7.50 The Night King

2

Jockey miraculously stays on after a bad blunder by his horse at Fontwell