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Sparks can ignite her season at Pontefract

July 2025

The prolific Sparks Fly can open her account for the season in the Weatherbys Hamilton Pipalong Stakes on Tuesday at Pontefract.

The five-year-old has been a winning machine for trainer David Loughnane, striking gold in no less than 11 races over the past two seasons, with four of those victories coming at Listed level.

She failed to fire on her first start of the current campaign in France, but performed significantly better when third in the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

Sparks Fly deserves extra credit for finishing as close as she did that day given the first two home were up with the pace all the way, whereas she was further back than is usually the case.

With more positive tactics expected to redeployed, Loughnane's charge looks well placed to rediscover the winning trail in West Yorkshire.

Rohaan may be able to snap a lengthy losing streak in the Pontefract Park Silver Sprint Trophy.

The seven-year-old was rated as high as 116 at the peak of his powers, having won at Group Three and Group Two level as well as landing back-to-back runnings of the Wokingham at Royal Ascot.

He is clearly not the force he once was and has not managed to get his head in front since October 2023, but he is rated accordingly off a current perch of 84 and has been placed off this mark in two of his last three races, suggesting a return to the winner's circle might not be far away.

It is not difficult to make a strong case for Command The Stars in the Highbet Weekly Racing Rewards Club Novice Stakes at Lingfield.

Not beaten far when fifth on his Haydock debut in late May, George Scott's juvenile showed the benefit of that initial experience when dominating from the front and bolting up at Beverley last month.

Judged on that performance he looks capable of winning under a penalty before having his sights raised later in the summer.

All Ways Glamorous looks the answer to the Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap.

The son of Cable Bay has won three of his last five starts for Christopher Mason and made a mockery of a mark of 71 when winning unchallenged at Chepstow a fortnight ago.

The handicapper has responded by handing him a 10lb rise in the weights, but it might not be enough to prevent him from adding to his tally.

Tea Sea can defy top weight in the Download The Star Sports App Handicap at Brighton.

Whatever trainer Tony Carroll runs at Brighton is always worth close consideration as he has a good record at the track and while this five-year-old has not managed to win there yet, he has finished second twice.

Evening jumps fare comes from Uttoxeter, where De Tellers Fortune is expected make it back-to-back course wins in the Visit The Gunroom At Eaton Hall Handicap Chase.

Nicky Henderson's charge saw off a subsequent winner in Imperial Alex here in mid-May and can follow up following a short break. - Press Association

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

PONTEFRACT: Race 1: 15.10 Popty Ping, Race 2: 15.40 Muhaajim, Race 3: 16.10 SPARKS FLY (NAP), Race 4: 16.40 Rohaan, Race 5: 17.10 Ribble River, Race 6: 17.40 Paladin, Race 7: 18.10 Torfrida.

LINGFIELD: Race 1: 15.25 Penn Avenue, Race 2: 15.55 Monkmoor Pip, Race 3: 16.25 Charles Morin, Race 4: 16.55 Shetakesthegold, Race 5: 17.25 Command The Stars, Race 6: 18.00 All Ways Glamorous.

UTTOXETER: Race 1: 19.00 Hope Rising, Race 2: 19.30 Rock House, Race 3: 20.00 De Tellers Fortune, Race 4: 20.30 itesurfer, Race 5: 21.00 Fox Wallace, Race 6: 21.30 Crystal Mer, Race 7: 22.00 Son Of Tyran.

BRIGHTON: Race 1: 19.12 Toussarok, Race 2: 19.42 Aeih, Race 3: 20.12 Dark Sun, Race 4: 20.42 Voix De Bocelli, Race 5: 21.12 Lambournghini, Race 6: 21.42 Tea Sea.

ALL TO COME: Sparks Fly (Pontefract, Race 3) and Command The Stars (Lingfield, Race 5).

 

 

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