Pontefract Preview: Yeeoow ready to cut a dash

Yeeoow was a big eye-catcher last time out, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to score an overdue success in the 6f handicap at Pontefract today (15:20).

The Karl Burke trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing a competitive 15-runner handicap at Ascot back in May 2013 off a mark of 90.

However, Yeeoow did run a number of solid races to be placed last year, including when runner-up to Goldream in a 21-runner class 2 handicap at Newmarket off 90 and third at Doncaster off 93.

The six-year-old is now able to race off just 84, and signalled that his time was near when an excellent fourth of 12 to Related at Kempton last month.

Yeeoow was forced to race wide throughout and couldn’t get any cover from a high draw, but kept on really nicely to be beaten just two lengths without being unduly knocked about by young jockey Joey Haynes.

Had Yeeoow been drawn low I think he would have gone very close to winning, and the son of Holy Roman Emporer looks to have been primed to land this contest for the Ontoawinner syndicate who saw their yellow and white quartered colours carried to victory 12 months ago by Fast Shot.

In the 1m handicap earlier on the six-race card (14:45), Express Himself has plenty in his favour and can make a winning return to action.

The Ed McMahon trained gelding had a progressive profile last season when scoring twice, and was particularly impressive in the last of those at Nottingham on his final start.

After being held-up off the pace in a strongly run race, Express Himself cruised into contention two from home after being switched out wide before showing a potent turn of foot in the last 100 yards to score by 3/4 of a length off a mark of 80.