DOHA CAN CONTINUE ON UPWARD CURVE AT PONTEFRACT

By Nick Robson

Doha was beginning to look like letting down family honour until winning at Royal Ascot and she can add a Listed win to her record in the Weatherbys ePassport Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract.

It is difficult to think of a better-bred horse in training, as the Ralph Beckett-trained filly is by Sea The Stars out of dual Arc winner Treve.

Unraced at two, she was beaten on her first two starts before opening her account at the third time of asking at Windsor.

She was allotted an opening mark of 82 and when beaten on her return at Haydock, it looked as if she was only going to be average.

However, she took a huge step forward from that to win the Kensington Palace off 85 and she has been raised 10lb as a result.

Her new rating gives her every right to be shooting for black type.

Room Service is given one more chance to prove he has trained on in the Northern Commercials Iveco E-Daily, Zero Emissions Handicap.

In fairness, Kevin Ryan’s sprinter has been set two tough tasks to date this term and has not been disgraced in either.

Seventh of 11 in the Greenham when beaten less than five lengths, he dropped down to six furlongs for the Carnarvon Stakes when sixth of 14 behind the talented Elite Status.

His mark of 100 may be stiff but this represents his easiest task since winning a valuable sales race at Doncaster.

James Webb can make it fourth time lucky in the Remembering Paul “Stan” Stansfield Maiden Stakes.

An American Pharoah half-brother to a couple of multiple winners, James Webb posted a fair fifth on his first racecourse attempt in May and was duly sent off the 6-4 favourite on his next start at the end of that month.

However, he proved no match for Gilded Water, who easily beat him by upwards of seven lengths, and his supporters were a little more restrained on his most recent run at Redcar last month.

Sir Michael Stoute’s runner again appeared to have improved in chasing home Midnite Storm, beaten just half a length this time, and another shuffle forward would likely be good enough to take this.

Shalfa can make it three wins in as many starts over Brighton’s 10-furlong track in the Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Handicap.

Successful off a mark of 60 under those conditions last term, she recently triumphed off a 5lb higher mark over the course and distance.

That was her first run back after a try over hurdles and a 2lb rise looks fair.

Kevin Philippart de Foy has been patient with French Mistress and can be rewarded with a victory in the Eggar Forrester Maiden Stakes at Lingfield.

Unraced at two and three, she came within a neck of making a winning debut at Nottingham.

She was a 28/1 chance that day so outran expectations and improvement can be expected from the daughter of Kingman.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

PONTEFRACT: Race 1: 15.10 Toota, Race 2: 15.40 James Webb, Race 3: 16.10 DOHA (NAP),
Race 4: 16.40 Room Service, Race 5: 17.10 Yippee, Race 6: 17.45 Ardbraccan, Race 7: 18.17
Cavalier Approach.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 15.25 French Mistress, Race 2: 15.55 Run Joy Run, Race 3: 16.25 Charlie
Mason, Race 4: 16.55 Alvesta, Race 5: 17.25 Tea Sea, Race 6: 17.55 Delta Legend, Race 7:
18.30 Jungle Run.

UTTOXETER: Race 1: 17.33 Dance Rules, Race 2: 18.05 Dame Sarra, Race 3: 18.35 Get Up
Mush, Race 4: 19.05 Kitesurfer, Race 5: 19.35 Neigh Botha, Race 6: 20.05 Cher Tara, Race 7:
20.35 Double Oban, Race 8: 21.05 Fan Magnet.

BRIGHTON: Race 1: 18.25 Suanni, Race 2: 18.55 Tactical Plan, Race 3: 19.25 Placeholder,
Race 4: 19.55 Shalfa, Race 5: 20.25 River Wharfe, Race 6: 20.55 Marching Mac.

DOUBLE: James Webb and Doha (Pontefract, Races 2 and 3).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com