Through The Card: Pontefract, Sunday 28 July

14:20 - POP DANCER (3) ran to a fair level when finding one too good on his debut at this venue nine days ago, showing plenty of early speed before plugging on at the one pace to be beaten only two lengths at the line. That form sets the standard on weight-adjusted ratings here, and with further improvement on the cards, this looks a good opportunity for him to go one better, with the drop back to five furlongs likely to suit in a race that the Richard Fahey yard has dominated in recent years (won three of the last six renewals).

14:50 - KING AND QUEEN (5) has made an excellent start for Mark Johnston, landing back-to-back Hamilton handicaps in recent weeks. He's the type to stay ahead of the handicapper and should prove tough to beat. Any easing of the ground would help Sempre Presto and she is feared, ahead of handicap debutante Mousebird.

15:20 - This looks wide open and it could pay to side with the sole three-year-old in the line-up, FIREWATER (9). Back to winning ways at Nottingham last time, he's in receipt of his handy weight-for-age allowance tackling his elders for the first time and may well be able to capitalise. Railport Dolly and Sod's Law are just a couple of others worthy of consideration.

15:55 - KHAFOO SHEMEMI (1) shaped as if retaining plenty of ability on his reappearance/stable debut at Windsor last month, when beaten less than four lengths behind the smart Matterhorn. Already a two-time winner at this level in his three-year-old days, he should be much closer to form with that run under his belt, and, not long with the Sir Michael Stoute yard that has a good record of finding improvement in these older horses, it wouldn't be a surprise if he took an even bigger step forward, in a listed heat that might not take as much winning as is often the case.

16:30 - HIGHLY SPRUNG (9) was quickly back to form when second over C&D last time, splitting the in-form pair who dominated the betting, with less than a length between him and winner Tricky Dicky at the line. That form leaves him 2 lb clear of the field on weight-adjusted ratings here, with Tricky Dicky a notable non-runner, and Les Eyre's charge looks to hold sound claims of going one better here at a venue that he clearly loves, with four of his eight career wins having come over this C&D.

17:05 - GAZTON (6) showed enough on recent debut at this venue to think he's up to winning races, and he may represent a spot of value against Joyful Mission and Al Mureib, who set the standard in this concluding leg of the Placepot.

17:40 - YOUNG TIGER (8) shaped much better than the bare result when fourth at Doncaster last time, still going well (starting to make headway between horses) when having to be snatched up approaching the final furlong and ultimately finishing with running left, leaving the impression that he would have gone very close with a clear passage. Both of his career wins to date have come at Newcastle, but he was competitive from much higher marks on turf last summer, and, the standard-setter on weight-adjusted ratings here, everything looks set fair for a big run as he attempts to make amends for his unlucky effort last time.