Five furlongs on a course with a stiff uphill finish looks ideal for Ok Pal, who is fancied to give a good account in The Packsaddle Handicap at Pontefract this afternoon.

Terry Mills' four-year-old has won twice on soft ground at Sandown so won't be inconvenienced by the recent rain.

Although he's yet to win in handicap company, he went very close when second to Endless Summer over this trip at Leicester at the end of last month. That form was boosted immediately when the winner went on to score at Goodwood.

He lost nothing in defeat over six at Salisbury last time but will be suited by the drop back to this trip and, although his draw is wider than ideal, he's taken to confirm those Leicester placings with Mine Behind.

Frankie Dettori, who rides the latter, can get the day off to a good start with Toldo, who has his first run for George Moore in the Trevor Woods Memorial Nursery over a mile.

The gelding proved his effectiveness over this trip when successful at Newcastle on heavy ground in August. But, although up in grade, his strong travelling style will stand him in good stead.

Princess Kiotto is an improved performer since being upped to two miles and should relish the extra quarter mile of the Bluff Cove Handicap.

Tim Easterby's filly turned in a much-improved effort when winning at Beverley in July and, although that form looked ordinary, it was boosted by subsequent wins of the second, third, fourth and fifth home.

The three-year-old showed the right attitude to win at Newcastle last time when beating Restart on much quicker ground than she encountered at the East Yorkshire venue.

Comic Strip is a progressive sort who didn't have to win at Epsom last time and can successfully negotiate a step up in grade by taking the totesport Silver Tankard Listed Race over a mile.

There's plenty of competitive racing on the new Polytrack surface at Wolverhampton and the in-form Idle Power makes plenty of appeal in the ladbrokes.com Handicap over seven furlongs.

James Boyle's six-year-old has been in good heart with wins over this trip at Lingfield and at Goodwood and may well be a bit better than the bare form of that last win as he overcame a poor draw.

Gentleman's Deal is an imposing horse worth following on his handicap debut in the Sponsor A Race At Dunstall Park Handicap over the extended mile and one furlong.

Ed Dunlop's three-year-old didn't have to better his debut form to beat some ordinary rivals at Chepstow last time and, although this is much tougher, he could prove to be much better than his initial rating of 75.

Roman Empire, who returned to winning ways on turf last time, goes on Polytrack and is fancied to give a good account in the Bet Direct On ITV Page 367 Classified Stakes.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.