Pontefract Preview: Kellini can kick his rivals into touch

Kelinni shaped as if coming back to his best last time out and looks the one the all have to beat in the 1m 2f feature handicap at Pontefract today (4.05).

The gelding was a smart peformer when trained in Australia, winning eight times, and posted his best effort since joining Marco Botti when fourth of 13 to Corsican in a strong handicap at Doncaster earlier in the month.

The six-year-old attempted to make all and stayed on gamely when headed approaching the final furlong to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths, and it was an effort which suggested Kelinni would soon be back in the winners’ enclosure.

The son of Resfue To Bend is certainly handicapped to do so, as he is now rated 95 having started the campaign on a mark of 106.

This contest also isn’t as strong as the Doncaster race, and Kelinni could well get an easy lead.

If that proves ot be the case, then Kelinni could prove very difficult to peg back in the hands of Graham Lee.

Dark Castle is back down below his last winning mark and can take advantage to land the spoils in the 6f handicap (3.30) now partnered by Kieren Fallon for the first time.

The Micky Hammond trained gelding is a consistent sort who last scored when landing a class 3 contest over course and distance 14 months ago off a mark of 80.

The five-year-old now gets into this lower grade class 4 affair off 2lb lower having posted a number of solid efforts this season.

They include a neck second to Highland Acclaim in a competitive 18-runner handicap at York off 80, and a solid fourth at Doncaster off 85.

Dark Castle also ran well last time up at Doncaster when staying on from off the pace to finish a 3 3/4 length eight of 18 to Expose in a class 3 contest, and that run entitles him to plenty of respect in this line-up.

In the 5f handicap (5.15), the dangerously well-treated Lastchancelucas can go well at a big price now eased in grade.

The gelding is a course and distance winner who was last successful back in May when beating Tax Free in a competitive 18-runner class 4 contest at Thirsk off a mark of 78.