With its undulations, tight bends and stiff uphill finish, it's no surprise that Pontefract is definitely a course specialist's track.

Having already won three times at the West Yorkshire venue, Nigrasine falls firmly into that category and he can improve on that record by taking the Tote Placepot Showcase Handicap there this afternoon.

Les Eyre's runner shaped as though coming to hand when sixth to Carrie Pooter at Ripon last time and he deserves extra credit for finishing ahead of those that raced on the stands side group that day.

The evergreen eight-year-old is now lower in the weights than when scoring over course and distance last summer and, as he was drawn in double-figures that day, he showed he has the pace to overcome his stall 13 box today.

Honest Obsession ran his best race to date when successful at this course last time and he can follow up in the Tote Marathon Handicap over an extended two miles and five furlongs.

Giles Bravery's four-year-old shaped as though the extra distance of this contest would be very much to his liking and it will be a big surprise if any of those who finished behind him last time can reverse the form here.

As he's only had a handful of outings, there could well be better to come and he's taken to beat John Harris' Sharp Belline, who looks worth a try over this trip.

Mister Rambo ran a blinder over course and distance last time and has solid claims in the Ladies In Red Classified Stakes over a mile but slight preference is for Oldenway, who has the potential for the most improvement.

Richard Fahey has made a good start to the new campaign and his three-year-old showed enough on a sound surface in maiden company last year to suggest he could go well in a race of this nature.

His last run at Ayr can be ignored on account of heavy ground but he's well drawn here for this reappearance and the booking of George Duffield looks a significant one. At bigger odds a chance is taken with Cheyenne Chief in the Friendly Service Selling Stakes over a mile and a half. George Moore's three-year-old is stoutly bred so it's no surprise that he's not set the world alight in three runs over sprint distances on sand and in one outing on Turf over a mile.

However, the way he was sticking on in that contest at Ripon gave encouragement for the future and, now he's upped in trip, he could go well in this bad race.

At Hexham the best bet on the card could be The Manse Brae, who contests the Sanyo Television For Bookmakers Novices' Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Malcolm Jefferson's runner created a very favourable impression on his fourth outing and handicap debut at Carlisle last time when running out an easy winner. Although he didn't beat much he did it in style and he's one of the few here who is open to plenty of further improvement.

Just Strong loves fast ground and should go well with conditions to suit in the Ricky Yates Bookmaker 60th Birthday Handicap Chase over the same trip.

Only lightly-raced, he can prove too good for some fully exposed and disappointing types after he returned to winning ways at Carlisle last time.

At Windsor, Face The Limelight could go well on his seasonal reappearance in the Strategic Shipping Company Handicap over a mile and a half.

Lambourn trainer Hughie Morrison is a trainer to follow this term and his three-year-old looks the sort who will improve this term now he's stepped up to middle distances.