Follow the fancied Federal Envoy

Smart gelding Federal Envoy taken to follow up his impressive debut success with victory in the Northern Commercials Iveco Driveaway Novice Stakes at Pontefract.

Karl Burke won this in 2021 with the Group One-placed sprinter Spycatcher and few would be surprised if this son of Bated Breath ended up plying his trade at a higher level, judged on the way he held off a €420,000 newcomer from the John and Thady Gosden stable first time up at Southwell.

While Federal Envoy only prevailed by a neck, he looked thoroughly professional in repelling the challenge of the runner-up, who had the benefit of a previous start.

Burke could be at the double in the Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap, where South Shore attempts to go one better than his Wolverhampton second on stable debut.

He bumped into a useful performer on that occasion who has gone on to give the form a decent look and this son of Blue Point has always hinted at being a winner in waiting.

There is always a competitive field for the Jamaican Flight Handicap over two and a quarter miles and there is a chance Dominic Ffrench Davis’ Maxident could prove much better than his current handicap mark.

A whopping 50-length winner of his maiden at Leicester on heavy ground, he lost little in defeat when bumping into St Leger third Gregory on a sounder surface at Haydock next time.

Further experience was garnered among useful company over the subsequent months before the son of Nathaniel was thrown in at the deep end on British Champions Day, tasked with defying outsider status in the Long Distance Cup.

Although the official result will say he was well beaten, Maxident took up pacemaking duties that day and was holding his own until the closing stages where his early exertions took their toll.

It is interesting he is the only ride of the day for David Egan, retained rider for owner Amo Racing, and back in handicap company the four-year-old could make his mark off a figure of 79.

Vintage Clarets enjoyed a sterling campaign in 2023 and can open this term with a win in the William Hill Extra Place Races Every Day Handicap.

He struck gold four times for Richard Fahey and only really disappointed once in 13 starts, when his stall was a fraction late in opening in the Dash at Epsom.

A starting mark of 97 is 6lb higher than last year but it is a fair reflection of Vintage Clarets’ consistent efforts.

Further Flat action comes on the Wolverhampton all-weather, where King’s Coronation is backed to take a step forward from his course-and-distance debut to wear the crown in the Get Raceday Ready Maiden Stakes.

The Clarehaven colt was fifth on that occasion but showed glimpses of real promise and given the stable’s newcomers are often left a bit to learn, he could make massive strides here to open his account.

Also at Dunstall Park, keep the faith with Southwell third Horse Whisperer in the Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Fillies’ Handicap, who will again be partnered by Silvestre de Sousa.

Chris Dwyer’s filly has been dropped a 1lb for that respectable effort and although a buzzy character who can often do too much in the early part of her races, she is now just 1lb above her last winning figure.

Ludlow is the destination for the day’s jumping and El Saviour could be the answer to the Derek And Elaine Thompson 59th Celebration Handicap Hurdle.

There was much to like about his recent Warwick win when upped in trip and it makes sense to stick to that same two-mile-five-furlong distance here.

Elsewhere on the card, it is interesting Harry Cobden picks up the spare aboard Jacamar in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Boyne Cup, with the nine-year-old a long way below his most recent success on ratings, while Passing Kate can be forgiven her most recent outing at Hereford and the HR.Smith Handicap Hurdle looks much more her cup of tea.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

PONTEFRACT: Race 1: 14.45 FEDERAL ENVOY (NAP), Race 2: 15.15 Throne Hall, Race 3:
15.45 Maxident, Race 4: 16.15 Vintage Clarets, Race 5: 16.45 South Shore, Race 6: 17.15
Bustaam, Race 7: 17.45 Star Shield.

LUDLOW: Race 1: 15.00 Gastibelza, Race 2: 15.30 Easy Peasy, Race 3: 16.00 El Saviour, Race
4: 16.30 Jacamar, Race 5: 17.00 Passing Kate, Race 6: 17.30 Iskandar Pecos.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 17.55 Virtual Hug, Race 2: 18.30 Bitcoin Profit, Race 3: 19.00
King's Coronation, Race 4: 19.30 Horse Whisperer, Race 5: 20.00 Bella Bisbee, Race 6: 20.30
Smokey Malone, Race 7: 21.00 Muhalhel, Race 8: 21.30 Calcutta Dream.

ALL TO COME: Federal Envoy and Maxident (Pontefract, Races 1 and 3).

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