Horse Racing Tips: Rhys Williams' NAP is a maiden filly at Pontefract

Showed promise when green on debut

Pontefract 17:20: Alwajd 0.5pt e/w 22/1

Esken Rose and Hooked On You head the market for this fillies' novice race but the ground is a concern for the former considering she was taken out of a race last season due to unsuitable ground when it was good to soft while the ground is no issue for the latter but she has to bounce back from a disappointing last start.

At a much bigger price I think Alwajd is capable of running well on her first start for Ian Williams. She made her debut for Charlie Hills at Salisbury last season and showed some promise when finishing fifth. She was slowly away and raced three back on the rail and showed her greenness when jumping a path just before halfway. She was stuck behind horses as the front pair started to get away and once out into the open she wasn't given a hard time while racing greenly.

The first three home in that race are now rated 75 or higher and Alwajd looked likely to improve plenty from the experience given her obvious signs of inexperience. That was an encouraging start to her career and she was subsequently bought by Ian Williams for 32,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale.

She wouldn't be the first Hills/Shadwell cast-off to improve for a trainer switch and Ian Williams has found a race that doesn't look to have too much strength in depth.

There is a concern over the ground given she's only raced on good ground and her action doesn't suggest she's certain to go on it. Despite this concern, I think Alwajd is overpriced given the potential she showed on debut and any 20/1 or bigger appeals.