Mirza can register rapid double in Pontefract highlight

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Edited 10:54 23.04.2012

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Rae Guest's Mirza landed quite a gamble on seasonal debut at Newbury three days ago, and can follow up in the Riu Palace Handicap at 3.15 this afternoon.

The 5-y-o revels in soft ground and powered home off a fast pace on Friday, having been heavily supported from 8-1 into 7-2. He has an excellent draw in stall two and can readily defy a penalty under the talented William Carson.

The 19,000 prize money has drawn out a huge field of sprinters, and perhaps Richard Fahey'S Coolminx may emerge as the biggest danger. He is useful when on song as he showed when landing a useful Newcastle handicap in August and the valuable Ayr Bronze Cup in September. The eased ground is ideal, but he is now plenty high enough in the weights and has a wide draw to overcome on his first run for 192 days.

Seal Rock made an impressive start to his career when winning his first three races (all at this 6f trip). He showed this rating was well within his compass when second at Goodwood in October and he is open to more progress than most after just eight career starts. However, the Henry Candy yard is very quiet, with a few shaping as though badly needing a run first time out, and the soft ground is an unknown.

Citrus Star had a quiet time on the turf last season, but impressed when overcoming a wide draw on the polytrack in October and is still well handicapped if repeating that form. He might need the run after 159 days and is again poorly berthed in stall 16.

Shropshire hails from a yard in great form and he returned with a bang when winning at Kempton 23 days ago. He can do better still attempting turf, but didn't progress after a decent start last season and the fitting of a hood suggests his temperament may not be all that it should be.

Parisian Pyramid is another with the benefit of an pipeopener, and shaped well when fourth at Musselburgh in a competitive handicap. The drop down to this sprint trip may suit and the booking of Jamie Spencer is encouraging.

In summary a wide open handicap, with Mizra expected to go very close under a penalty. At around 5-1 this morning he is worth a decent each-way investment to storm home against the favoured far rail.

Stephen's Monday Nap Back in the Frame 2.15 Pontefract

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