The first of our SmartPlays on Sunday runs in the one-and-a-half mile handicap as we select Fennell Bay (14:45) to prevail. The selection was undoubtedly disappointing at Newmarket last time, weakening out of contention having made the early running, but that was a rare blip for a largely consistent sort and Fennell Bay is the type to quickly bounce back to form. This class 3 contest also represents a drop in grade for Fennell Bay and mark Johnston appears to have found a nice opportunity for his charge.
The listed Flying Fillies' Stakes (15:45) is the highlight of the card and the Marco Botti-trained March can land the spoils. A progressive filly, March rattled up a hat-trick of wins before narrowly going down to Morawij in the listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown. Stepped up to Group 3 level at York last time, March was by no means discredited, staying on in encouraging fashion to grab third. Unlike some of her main market rivals, March enters this contest in excellent form and there is little reason to suspect that this improving filly won't put up a bold bid.
Mushaakis shaped better than the bare result at Glorious Goodwood last time and can bounce back to winning ways in the 16:20. He looked to have plenty of his opponents on the stretch at Goodwood last time but weakened in the closing stages, leaving the impression that dropping back in trip to one mile could prove to be ideal. He has had a busy campaign but horses from the Mark Johnston yard can often keep finding improvement well into the season and everything looks set up for a big effort from Mushaakis.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
All at Pontefract
Back Fennell Bay in the 14:45
Back March in the 15:45
Back Mushaakis in the 16:20
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