The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for June 21st 2026

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from Pontefract

Pontefract Races Autism In Racing EBF Novice Stakes 1.35
Clash Of Hearts
Clash Of Hearts wasn’t too far back from our selection Matteo in a valuable Conditions Stakes at Beverley last time out, and that does look strong form for this Novice contest. Of course, Kevin Ryan’s Matteo was a very short-priced favourite to double up at Beverley, so Adrian Keatley’s Clash Of Hearts wouldn’t have to improve much to take this. With an experience edge over this field too, I would think that Clash Of Hearts will go off a warm order favourite, especially with a good draw in Stall 3. Tim Easterby’s Excessive should come on for his debut run under rules at Carlisle, and the step up to 6 furlongs, but Clash Of Hearts is the one.

Ponte Premiership Points Mean Prizes Handicap 2.35
Goyard
I’ll take a speculative chance on David O’Meara’s Goyard for this ordinary looking Handicap, with Danny Tudhope aboard making my decision easier. He wasn’t far behind a couple of useful sprinters in Lexington Blitz and Copper Knight when last seen in October, and with the ground in his favour this Mehmas gelding can defy top weight and go in here. It’s nice to see the veteran Dakota Gold still turning out, though Michael Dods admirable servant does seem to be on the wane now, so Tim Easterby’s Equity Law might be the danger.

Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) 3.05
Revoir (nap)
I thought Ralph Beckett’s Revoir put in a really good shift in the Listed Hedge Of Oak Stakes at Haydock Park last time out, so gets the nudge from me to go one better here. Only beaten in the final half-furlong by Ed Walker’s Dreamasar, maybe this return to the mile and a half trip will eke out a bit more, and judged by her fine third over this trip in a Group 3 at Newmarket last September, this could be her ideal trip. Ed Bethell’s Coedana is always going to put in a big late effort after being held up, while William Haggas’s Orionis is progressive and possibly the main danger.

Moor Top Farm Shop Hemsworth Pontefract Cup Handicap 3.35
Trojan Soldier (nb)
Jedd O’Keefe’s Trojan Soldier has been in top class form this early summer, and looks to notch up a four-timer with a win here. Running under a penalty for his latest win here, over just a furlong less, it’s hard to see who can peg this son of Ulysses back in his current spell of form, but Charlie Johnston’s Sax Appeal could be the one to make race of it, though still gives Trojan Soldier 8lbs, and I just wonder if Jedd O’Keefe’s charge is still ahead of his mark. Trojan Soldier to score in the four-timer, with Sax Appeal the best of the rest.

Sunpak Potatoes Handicap 4.05
Ray Mon Dough
Oliver Cole’s Lope Y Fernandez colt stayed on well on his turf debut at Lingfield, so can score ahead of Ruth Carr’s The Good Biscuit. With the notable booking of Tom Marquand on the selection, some progression must be on the cards, and although the draw in Stall 6 could have been better, it’s a small field so his top jockey should be able to put Ray Mon Dough where he wants him. The Good Biscuit had a busy time of it from the back end of April, with four runs within five weeks, so it is taken on trust this Sixties Icon gelding is refreshed, but Ray Mon Dough is totally unexposed and gets the vote.

Next Family Day Sunday 26th July Handicap 4.35
Masaban
It must be hard to ignore the appeal of Ed Bethell’s Masaban for the last race at Pontefract. Pretty impressive on good ground at Ripon a couple of starts back, he just tired a bit late on at Doncaster next time on going with more cut, but that was only eight days later, so after a break of five weeks, should be good to go on this preferable surface. Keep An Eye On It, with Tom Marquand taking the ride and Ravishing Beaty out of Stall 1 are going to be involved, but I’ll take my chance on a rested Masaban.