Tuesday 2nd June 2026
We return to Pontefract on Tuesday for our four selections, the first of which comes in the opener at 2.48, a Class 3 maiden over a mile and two furlongs. It’s just the four runners going to post here currently, and out of those four, I think that ALMA LATINA could be tough to beat for the team of Ralph Beckett and Hector Crouch. She’s shown a very solid level of ability in her two outings to date, finishing third behind the highly promising Felicitas on her racecourse debut at Sandown back in April, before finishing half of a length second of eleven at Salisbury most recently. She should continue to progress, and that has to make her of serious interest here. According To Mark is the obvious danger who should also take a step forward following his second-placed effort at Redcar last time out.
I turn my attention to the 3.48 for my second selection of the afternoon, and this is a Class 4 handicap that’s contested over six furlongs. This is highly competitive for the grade; however, I’ve taken a chance on ROCK OPERA for Richard & Peter Fahey, who’s the mount of Oisin Orr. It’s been nearly two years since his last success; however, that win did come off a seven-pound higher mark, and he’s been running well as of late without managing to get his head in front. He was only beaten by a length and three-quarters when fourth of thirteen at Hamilton last time out, rallying well on that occasion. He was also only beaten by a length on his penultimate start at Thirsk, suggesting he is ready to win again. He once again has every chance off the same mark, and is a decent each-way price. Bravo Zulu is a big danger on the back of his half a length second at Redcar last time out, and a mention can be given to Alpha Capture back at sprinting distances, given he was a classy sprinter in his younger days.
My third selection of the day comes within the 4.18, which is a Class 5 fillies’ handicap that’s contested over six furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of EGOTISTICAL here for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson. She got her head in front at the fourth time of asking when winning a novice event at Redcar last time out in April, keeping to her task well to win by a length on that occasion. She should continue to progress for her top yard, and she could prove to be a bit better than her opening mark on her handicap debut here. Diamont Katie looks the most likely main threat for Karl Burke; she won a Class 5 affair at Pontefract on her penultimate start and followed up with a second-placed effort at Yarmouth. There’s also likely more to come from the unexposed Zarinca for Ed Bethell.
The fourth and final pick for me on Tuesday takes place in the penultimate race at Pontefract, the 4.48, a Class 5 handicap contested over a mile and two furlongs. David O’Meara could hold the key to this particular contest with FINLAGGAN, who’s the mount of Danny Tudhope. He was only beaten by a neck when showing significant improvement on his handicap debut over course and distance on his penultimate start in April, and things just didn’t go to plan for him at Ripon last time out. He was denied a clear run on that occasion and likely didn’t handle that particular track. He’s still unexposed, and should have a big say off just a pound higher mark than when second here in April. This is a tough-looking affair behind the selection; perhaps there could still be room to manoeuvre in The Cookstown’s Cafu mark on the turf, following a win last time out at Newcastle.
Tuesday Selections
02/06/2026 (Pontefract)
2.48 Pontefract
ALMA LATINA – (11/10) (Win) (NAP)
3.48 Pontefract
ROCK OPERA – (13/2) (Each-Way)
4.18 Pontefract
EGOTISTICAL – (13/8) (Win) (NB)
4.48 Pontefract
FINLAGGAN – (9/4) (Win)
