It is doubtful that as good a horse will emerge from tomorrow's opening Pontefract meeting as happened 12 months ago.

High-Rise, who scored over a mile and a quarter, went on to win last season's Epsom Derby for Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani.

Tomorrow, the race which he won has been named in his honour, the High-Rise Classified Stakes, and Cumani is back again with another leading contender in Glance.

One thing's for certain, Glance will not be following the same route as High Rise because as a four-year-old he's already too late to bid for Derby honours.

Unraced as a juvenile, Glance won one of his two starts last season over a mile and a half at Doncaster in June. Presumably he met a training setback afterwards because he was not seen out again.

Tomorrow's race looks an ideal opportunity for Glance to return to action on a winning note with Pat Eddery in the saddle.

Hambleton trainer Les Eyre, on the mark at Thirsk on Saturday with stable stalwart Nigrasine, has significantly booked Frankie Dettori to partner Holy Smoke in the featured Coral Showcase Handicap.

Winner of two of his three races this year, Holy Smoke got the better of King Priam by three-quarters of a length in a ladies' race at Doncaster last month. He can make a bold bid to follow-up here.

Stamina will be at a premium in the Levy Board Handicap over an extended two miles, and Old Hush Wing is napped to do the honours for the in-form Mary Reveley stable.

Tony Culhane's mount ran out a decisive winner of a two-miler at Newcastle three weeks ago, scoring by six lengths from Quezon City. Raised 7lb for that victory, he can remain one step ahead of the handicapper here.

Round one of the Pontefract Apprentice Series features a very tricky-looking handicap over a mile and a quarter, but there is much to like about the chances of Classic Colours if he can reproduce his recent effort in a 19-runner handicap at Warwick.

The six-year-old belied his 25-1 odds by finishing a good second to the in-form Swift. A similar performance tomorrow could enable him to go one better.

Apprentice Dean Mernagh, who is attached to Mel Brittain's Warthill stable, makes the long journey to Folkestone and promises to be rewarded by scoring on Shepherds Rest in the Levy Board Handicap.

Mernagh teamed-up with the seven-year-old at Nottingham recently and was beaten less than two lengths into third by He's Got Wings after holding the clear advantage until well inside the final furlong. Compensation awaits.The Barham Median Auction Maiden Stakes looks a perfect opportunity for Barabaschi to open his winning account.

Runner-up to Tiger Talk, the favourite, over seven furlongs on this course three weeks ago, Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt may be better suited by reverting to six furlongs tomorrow. Jimmy Fortune has the mount.

Kenny for Aintree

Peter Beaumont's stable star Young Kenny is the favourite for next year's Martell Grand National with Young Kenny.

He is looking forward to a trip to Aintree with his gelding who gained a third big staying chase victory of 1999 in the Stakis Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The North Yorkshire trainer confirmed that Brendan Powell, who picked up the mount on Young Kenny at the start of his winning run in February, will keep the ride. The horse has been installed as 16-1 favourite for the Aintree spectacular with both William Hill and Ladbrokes. This year's winner, Bobbyjo, is 20-1.

"All being well Brendan Powell will keep the ride - I wouldn't dream of changing a winning team," said Beaumont, of Foulrice Stables, Brandsby, near Easingwold.

"Aintree is the main aim next season. I hope he has everything you need for the National as he jumps well and stays well and copes with big fields.

"He will work gently towards that but he has got to have cut in the ground - he would not want it on the fast side of good."

Top weight Young Kenny was tipped to win the big race at Ayr by Evening Press tipster Tom O'Ryan in Friday's paper.

Tomorrow's tips

PONTEFRACT

Classic Colours

Birchwood Sun

Kariyadan

Glance

Holy Smoke

Old Hush Wing (Nap)

Weaver Of Words

FOLKESTONE

Playinaround

Barabaschi

Shepherds Rest

Indian Blaze

Compensation

Golden Ace

5.05 Lucky Nemo

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.