Pontefract preview: Spiraea in bloom and Hoofalong can bounce back

Spiraea bounced back to form when an excellent second last time out, and can take advantage of a drop in class to go one better in the 6f handicap on today’s competitive seven-raced card at Pontefract (17.10).

The Mark Rimell trained mare enjoyed a productive 2014 when winning three times, with the last of those successes coming off a mark of 70 at Salisbury.

Spiraea is now able to race off just 3lb higher, having signalled that her time was near when chasing home the in-form Gran Canaria Queen in a class 3 contest over course and distance 37 days ago.

After being held-up well off the pace, Spiraea stayed on in good style to be nearest at the finish and beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

That was the five-year-old’s third run of the campaign, and the daughter of Bahamian Bounty should now be spot on to do herself justice.

Spiraea also now drops down into class 4 company and, with Graham Lee in the saddle, this looks a good opportunity for her to get back to winning ways.

In the 5f handicap (16.10), Hoofalong can cash-in on a career-low mark to score an overdue success.

The Mick Easterby trained gelding was in good form in 2013 when landing back-to-back handicaps at Doncaster and Windsor.

Hoofalong scored off a mark of 77 in the latter and went on to finish runner-up in a class 2 contest over 5f at York off 84.

The five-year-old drew a blank last year, but is now able to race in this class 5 affair off just 68, so that gives Hoofalong outstanding claims at the weights of the pick of his form.