Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute, out of luck with the Queen’s Carlton House in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday, sends one runner to tonight’s Pontefract meeting – and may again have to settle for minor honours.

While Carlton House, the 5-2 favourite, finished third in the Derby, it may prove that Mutayaser will likewise come up short for Stoute in the Racing UK On Sky Channel 432 Handicap.

The mount of Richard Hills, Mutayaser finished third at Goodwood on his reappearance last month and while there was credit in that display, he is likely to have to raise his game in order to come out on top tonight.

Apart from the promising Seelo, trained by John Gosden, and Richard Fahey’s progressive Redcar winner Ollon in opposition, Mutayaser also faces Watercourse, who caught the eye at Notttingham last month when staying on into fourth in maiden company over a mile.

The step up to ten furlongs promises to suit him even better and, off a useful rating of 76, Watercourse can have the measure of Mutayaser.

North Yorkshire trainer Nigel Tinkler has selected the totepool Handicap over five furlongs for King Of Swords and the gelding is fancied to come good for the first time this season.

A creditable fourth to Tournedos on his latest start a week ago at Carlisle, King Of Swords looks to be coming to hand.

Furthermore, he is particularly effective on this course where he has gained three of his career wins. Declan Cannon, claiming 3lb off his back, is a further plus.

Mr Wolf, a popular course specialist, takes on King Of Swords on a card which marks his achievements by naming a race in his honour.

The Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap is the feature race on the programme and Foxtrot Hotel is napped to defy top weight.

Unraced last season as a juvenile, Foxtrot Hotel looks a useful horse in the making, judged on his runner-up effort at Salisbury on his debut before an easy Newbury win just over two weeks ago.

The handicapper has responded by giving him an opening mark of 82, but the Peter Winkworth runner is fancied to prove equal to that rating and make it two wins from three starts.

The promising Jade, trained by Ollie Pears, a course winner last season and the mount of Paul Hanagan, may give him most to do.

Spruzzo was a 100-1 winner two starts ago and has since finished a respectable third at Ripon.

It would be no surprise to see Spruzzo, trained at Middleham by Chris Fairhurst, pop up again as a a winner of the Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap – just don’t expect 100-1 this time.

At Redcar tomorrow, the nap vote is cast in favour of Let’s Face Facts in the redcarracing.co.uk Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

This poor contest will take very little winning and Jim Goldie’s charge showed enough when staying on over six furlongs at Catterick last time out to suggest she will be up to the task.

Kieren Fallon, denied a ride in Saturday’s Derby by a High Court judge who found he was in breach of contract after choosing to partner Recital instead of Native Khan, travels north principally to ride Set Me Free in the Ladies’ Day Maiden Stakes.

Trained at Newmarket by Luca Cumani and a 62,000gns purchase, Set Me Free will not get many better opportunities to break her maiden, though she will pick up only £1,706 if she succeeds.

Racing selections

Pontefract (today)
6.30 Sunny Side Up, 7.00 Spruzzo, 7.30 Foxtrot Hotel (NAP), 8.00 Watercourse, 8.30 Apache Ridge, 9.00 King Of Swords.

Today’s other meetings
Folkestone, Newton Abbot and Windsor.

Redcar (tomorrow)
2.00 Whisky Bravo, 2.30 Let’s Face Facts (NAP), 3.00 Ryedale Dancer, 3.35 Ginger Jack, 4.10 Pint Size, 4.45 Set Me Free, 5.15 Alemaratiya.

Tomorrow’s other meetings
Ffos Las, Salisbury and Southwell.