Pontefract 3:08 Result

Small field of 5 makes this a strong form race to assess. Morbeh has the best profile: consistent 142113 form, three wins from his last six starts, and he's a Roger Varian-trained Dubawi out of a Sea The Stars mare, giving him quality pedigree and stamina for 1m4f. He carries top weight at 85 OR but that's simply a reflection of his genuine ability - he's clearly the best horse on ratings in this race, matching Sea Lantern's 85 OR but with fresher, more progressive form (last ran 69 days ago vs Sea Lantern's 141 days). The addition of headgear (hood) suggests connections are sharpening him up for this. Cieren Fallon takes over which is a positive booking. Sea Lantern is the obvious market rival but his three-month absence is a concern, and his form figures (31-3) are less consistently competitive than Morbeh's recent placings. Alma Latina steps up in trip from her recent form and while consistent (321334), her OR of 78 is 7lbs below the market leaders - she looks more like a place threat than a winner unless she's dropping in class. Traveling Man has a solid recent win (93631) but his one placing figure of 9 suggests some inconsistency, and at just 3yo with only 75 OR he looks to lack the class to trouble the principals. Lightening Company at 8 years old with an OR of just 71 looks up against it against this quality, though his recent 118 form shows he's in some form. Morbeh looks the classiest, freshest, and best-bred horse in the race and represents a fair betting proposition given his obvious claims.