Today's Horse Racing Tips: One to back at Pontefract on Monday
I am pretty good at taking losers and losing runs on the chin as it is part of being a tipster. However, I did feel completely dejected after Mighty Thunder got collared late on in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter back in March. It came at a time when I could really have done with an 18/1 winner and he looked to have put the race to bed jumping the last fence. I have watched it back numerous times over the past few weeks. For all that he ran a magnificent race in defeat, it was tough to take!
All of that made his Scottish Grand National victory yesterday (advised at 10/1) even more enjoyable. He looked held entering the straight but continued to jump well and powered home after the last obstacle. What a brilliant performance, especially as this is his first year over fences! He is sure to be aimed at all of the big staying races next season with his ultimate target likely to be the Grand National itself.
Mighty Thunder’s win capped a really good afternoon for me as it followed on from the earlier victories of Alcohol Free (advised at 3/1) and Chindit (advised at 2/1), both of whom will head to Newmarket with good chances of Classic glory.
There is one bet for today’s racing at Pontefract.
Pontefract Tip
13:30 – 5f Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap (Class 2)
The draw is rarely important in races with just six runners, but I believe stall three is the perfect position for MOKAATIL (NAP – 1 point win bet at 5/1) as it will allow him to track the likely pacesetter Caspian Prince, who will break from stall two.
This Ian Williams-trained six-year-old is the only one of these to have previously won at Pontefract and that victory came in this race back in 2019 (off the same handicap mark that he will race off today). He has since won three more races, including on the All-Weather at Chelmsford last month.
Having been very well backed for a strong race at Musselburgh last time out (16/1 into 7/1), he got outpaced and could only finish ninth. That form has since been franked by the third-placed horse Came From The Dark, who won at Newbury on Friday. The return to a stiff five furlongs should really suit this son of Lethal Force and ground conditions are very much in his favour.