Pontefract 4:08 Result

Venetian Lion is the most progressive runner in the field – his recent form figures 796211 show a horse rapidly improving, culminating in back-to-back wins. He's a lightly-raced 3yo from the powerful Haggas yard, taking on much older, more exposed handicappers who are largely working off flat or declining profiles (Milteye 0-1854, Walsingham 080578, BillyB -87074). A 3yo taking on and beating this type of experienced but limited handicap field in autumn, off a rating that hasn't fully caught up with his true improvement, is a classic angle. Cieren Fallon retains the ride having been on him through the winning sequence, and the tongue-tie addition looks to have sharpened him up. Weight of 132lbs is competitive given the scope for more improvement suggested by St Mark's Basilica sire (potent influence, plenty of middle-distance/mile winners with stamina and class). Draw 9 of 10 is workable at Pontefract's tricky, undulating mile as pace should be strong enough to be collected from off it. The main market rivals (Milteye, Walsingham) are proven at this level but look to have found their form ceiling, with signs of one-paced efforts in recent starts. Hale End and Perfect Part are consistent but capped by moderate ratings and are already fully exposed at this trip. Venetian Lion looks the classic 'still improving' type that regularly wins these graduation-type handicaps, and if he's still ahead of the handicapper he should prove capable of a hat-trick.