Today's Racing Tips: Stick with Carr speedster to turn the tables on old foe

Pontefract, 16.48 - Back Betweenthesticks each-way @ 5/16.00

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Betweenthesticks

• J: James Sullivan
• T: Ruth Carr
• F: 37-112962

• SBK 11/2
• EXC 7

Betweenthesticks would be an appropriate winner given there is rumoured to be a football competition currently going on over the other side of the world, but I'm hopeful victory for the six-year-old would represent more than just a happy coincidence.

The son of Captain Gerrard would need to reverse placings with Hover The Wind from their running here last week, but the selection may have paid late on for trying to keep tabs on the front-running Without Flow who blazed a trail before fading at the furlong marker.

It was to the credit of Betweenthesticks that he remained in the heat of battle till late on, but his early exertions left him susceptible to a closer and that's how it panned out.

Given less pace pressure, he may be on the scene once more and his speed from the gates can prove his biggest asset with his last three trips to Pontefract all producing the fastest time on the RaceiQ 0-20mph metric.  

Wolverhampton, 18.10 - Back R P McMurphy @ 17/29.50

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R P Mcmurphy

• J: Edward Greatrex
• T: Michael Appleby
• F: 33133-318

• SBK 17/2
• EXC 7.2

Absent for 144 days following a disappointing performance at the Midlands venue, R P McMurphy could be worth supporting on his return to action with Eddie Greatrex back aboard.

Quite what wrong with the selection when we last saw him is unclear, but his previous start at Dunstall Park produced a fine effort in a strong time and a return to that level of form could make the son of Expert Eye difficult to beat here.

Mick Appleby has his string in much better form of late - five winners in the past fortnight endorses that view - and R P McMurphy remains competitively treated on a mark of 61.

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