Timeform Radio Tip: Ponty deserves the Acclaim

Tim Easterby can hit the mark with Ponty Acclaim in York's opener.

Rory Delargy found a big-priced winner at York yesterday, and aims to repeat that feat today...

Tim Easterby rarely leaves York's Dante meeting empty handed and, while he fires plenty of darts which makes following his team blind an expensive business, a more forensic examination of his runners can yield big-priced winners. He fared no better than fourth with his representatives yesterday, and once again goes into action mob-handed today.

Easterby's best chance, in my eyes, is the well-handicapped Ponty Acclaim in the opening contest at 13:45. The daughter of Acclamation won the Cornwallis Stakes as a juvenile, and acquitted herself well last year until showing signs of fatigue on her last couple of outings. That's enabled her to slip to a tempting mark, some 7 lb lower than when an excellent seventh of 19 behind Tax Free at this track last summer. She was beaten less than 2 lengths that day, despite coming from a low stall in a race which was dominated by those drawn high. 

She also showed her liking for the track when second to the exciting Pearl Secret over C&D on last year's reappearance, and a repeat of that effort will put her in the frame again. With the riders tending to favour stands side yesterday, then any draw bias is again likely to favour those drawn middle to high, and Ponty Acclaim appears to have got lucky in that regard, with stall 18 looking a perfect pitch. It may be no more than coincidence that the same stall produced the winners of both of yesterday's 6f events, but it can't be a bad sign, and she's overpriced at around 16/1.

The 2m handicap which ends today's card is another competitive affair, but one where there are few unknowns, and it will hopefully provide a true test. John Quinn has a pair in the race, with Michael O'Connell seeming to prefer the unexposed and progressive Hidden Justice, and I respect the son of Lawman's chances having dotted up at Pontefract last time. A 10 lb higher mark and stronger opposition are worries, however, as is the jockey, who didn't impress me with how he rode Countywide Flame in the Chester Cup, even before inexplicably dropping his hands to lose fourth place. O'Connell is sure to redeem himself at some point, but is firmly off my Christmas card list for the time being.

Quinn's other runner, Moidore, made an encouraging comeback when second to Lady Kashaan at Musselburgh, and can be forgiven for a poor effort behind the same rival at Ripon last time, when clearly not himself. There is an element of risk in backing him now, but the fact that he appears the yard's second string despite being ridden by Pat Smullen means that his price is much bigger than it should be, and I can't see why he should be 25/1 and bigger in a race which should suit him. He's lightly raced, and progressed well in handicaps last year, where he also showed a most willing attitude, attributes which should guarantee further success, especially as the Musselburgh run represented a career best. 

Recommendations:
Both at York
Back Ponty Acclaim @ 17.016/1 in the 13:45 (NAP)
Back Moidore @ 27.026/1 in the 17:00 (NB)

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