Timeform UK SmartPlays: Wednesday August 7

We're going to take a chance on Abbey Village in the six-furlong maiden at Pontefract (14:30) for the first of today's SmartPlays. Being a maiden there isn't form to go on but her price tag suggests there is the potential for her to be a useful performer. Her pedigree bodes well too; she is a half-sister to Wootton Bassett who scored at Group 1 level for the same yard. He too started his career off over six furlongs and did so with a win, and she is trusted to emulate her illustrious relative here. Captain Midnight should appreciate this stiffer test and merits respect, as does Souville on the back of shaping well on debut at Haydock.

We remain at Pontefract for our second bet of the day and take in the 12-furlong handicap (15:30) in which Muharrer looks likely to take the honours. He has performed consistently this season, hitting the crossbar four times from six appearances and he was never closer than last time out here when second over a shorter trip when he put up a career-best performance. He and the winner were well clear of the chasing pack and he can handle the extra two furlongs stepping back up in trip to end his frustrating run of seconds. Noble Silk is another consistent performer who should go well again.

We head east to Newcastle for Wednesday's final selection in the 10-furlong contest (17:10) and Save The Bees looks well treated by the handicapper. Despite carrying a penalty for his front-running success at Ayr last week, the way in which he responded in the final furlong and saw out the race strongly suggested he should have more than enough in hand in terms of stamina and ability to make it two wins from two for the Declan Carroll team. The one who looks capable of causing him the most problems is the lightly-raced three-year-old Bollin Billy who shaped better than his fourth suggested last time at Beverley.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Abbey Village in the 14:30 at Pontefract
Back Muharrer in the 15:30 at Pontefract
Back Save The Bees in the 17:10 at Newcastle