Robert ‘Monty’ Hempton, who looks after Group 1 winner Wootton Bassett at Richard Fahey’s Malton yard and who has worked in racing for 45 years, will be guest of honour at Pontefract today when he has a race named in his honour.

As part of the Racing Welfare series to acknowledge long-time workers behind the scenes, the Monty Hempton – A Lifetime In Racing Fillies’ Handicap is the second of seven races on the card.

Having started his racing career in Scotland with Andy Barclay, Downpatrick-born Hempton went on to work in Newmarket for Bernard Van Cutsem and Michael Jarvis before arriving in Malton for a weekend visit in the early 1970s.

He never left and had a long association with the late Jimmy FitzGerald stable before joining Fahey in 2006.

A popular character, who has forgotten more about racing than many will ever know, Hempton will judge the best turned out prize before his race and also present the trophies.

Whether he can pick the winner is another matter. The in-form Mini’s Destination, winner of two of her last three starts, looks to have as good a chance as any in the hands of Royal Ascot-winning jockey Nicky Mackay.

Fahey could well get his name on the scoreboard with Mango Music in the British Stallion Studs/Park Suite Fillies’ Handicap over six furlongs.

The six-year-old has run two decent races lately in defeat and finished a close up sixth to stablemate Quest For Success at Ayr most recently when she may have done a little too much at the head of affairs through the early stages.

Apprentice Laura Barry has the mount today and, if she can get Mango Music dropped in behind the leaders, she may be able to surprise Kieren Fallon on the hat-trick seeking Mosaicist, who is one of the leading fancies.

The opening Pontefract Ladies’ Handicap, confined to lady amateur riders, will not take a great deal of winning and Tropical Duke is sportingly napped to return to form under the experienced Alyson Deniel.

It is some time since Ronnie Barr’s gelding last visited the winners’ enclosure, but he has dropped to a very good mark as a result and his latest effort at Ripon, when sixth to Dimashq over a mile-and-a-half, was an encouraging effort over a trip that stretches him. Back a couple of furlongs this afternoon, he could well spring a surprise.

Regimental can complete a hat-trick of wins for North Yorkshire trainer Ann Duffield in the Best UK Racecourses on TurfTV Handicap.

The in-form three-year-old scored at Haydock and has since followed up at Musselburgh. He has more on his plate now, racing off his revised rating, but this stiff track should suit him and he has Silvestre de Sousa, who is riding out of his skin, in the saddle.

At Hamilton tomorrow, a note should be made of Go Go Green in the Weatherbys bettrends.co.uk Handicap.

A good third in a warm race at Ayr ten days ago, Jim Goldie’s sprinter is plainly coming to hand now and is well handicapped into the bargain.

He goes particularly well on stiff tracks with uphill finishes and, indeed, he is a previous Hamilton winner.

Declan Carroll’s Save The Bees (3.15), the Mark Johnston-trained Circle Of Angels (3.45) and Tim Easterby’s Hayek (5.15) all won on this course on their latest outings. The trio have sterling chances of following up in their chosen races.

Racing selections

Pontefract (today)

2.15 Tropical Duke (NAP), 2.45 Mini’s Destination, 3.15 Princess Banu, 3.45 Mango Music, 4.15 Bradbury, 4.45 Moral Issue, 5.15 Regimental.

Today’s other meetings

Musselburgh, Windsor and Wolverhampton.

Hamilton (tomorrow)

2.15 Vassaria, 2.45 Tro Nesa, 3.15 Save The Bees, 3.45 Circle Of Angels, 4.15 Fire Fighter, 4.45 Go Go Green (NAP), 5.15 Hayek.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Brighton, Southwell and Stratford.