Pontefract preview: Latenightrequest can cash-in on class drop

David Metcalf | October 19, 2015

Latenightrequest can take advantage of a drop in the weights and ease in grade to get back to winning ways in the 1m 2f handicap on today’s card at Pontefract (15.10).

The Richard Fahey trained filly has won six of her 20 starts, and was last successful at Doncaster 12 months ago when sluicing up by 4 1/2 lengths in a class 2 contest off a mark of 88.

Latenightrequest got put up to 96 for that runaway victory and has failed to trouble the judge in four subsequent starts.

However, those runs have all come in competitive contests and the assessor has been quick to cut the four-year-old plenty of slack.

Latenightrequest is now able to race off a rating of 85, 3lb lower than when last successful, and takes a big drop in class into class 4 company.

That gives the daughter of Major Cadeaux major claims from a handicapping perspective, and this is the lowest grade she has competed in for over two years.

Latenightrequest also now gets the cut in the ground that she relishes for the first time this season, and everything suggests this is a golden opportunity for her to get back to winning ways.

In the 5f handicap that closes the card (17.40), Avon Breeze looks weighted to go well following an eye-catching effort last time out.

The Richard Whitaker trained mare was last successful back in July when comfortably beating Singeur by a length in a 16-runner contest at Beverley off a mark of 81.

Avon Breeze now meets that rival on 1l better terms having since posted some solid efforts off higher marks.