9:00 Pontefract
This Class 5 handicap sprint over 6f at Pontefract on good ground brings together a field of ten where the official ratings sit in a narrow band from 84 to 88. KTB numbers highlight Call Me Betty as the top-rated on Fit at 61, with several others clustered in the low- to mid-50s, suggesting a competitive but not overly deep race. Recent form is mixed across the board, with some runners in solid nick and others needing to bounce back, while the trainer and jockey stats at the track add further layers to the puzzle.
How the race shapes up
With a strong pace confidently expected and at least two confirmed front-runners in the field, the race is likely to be run at a searching gallop from the outset. Call Me Betty and Veydari both tend to make the running or race prominently, which could set things up for the hold-up performers to come late off what may prove an unsustainable speed. The key question is whether the pace collapses in the final furlong, handing the advantage to those racing off the speed such as Daytona Lady, Dorney Lake and Just Queen High.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Call Me Betty KTB Selection61/100RPR 88 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 2Daytona Lady54/100RPR 88 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 3Dorney Lake52/100RPR 84 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 4Veydari52/100RPR 85 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 5Just Queen High52/100RPR 87 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 6Fiscal Policy49/100RPR 84 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 7Dicko The Legend48/100RPR 86 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 8Emperor's Son48/100RPR 84 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 9Great43/100RPR 85 — field comparison calculated at page load
- 10Hectic42/100RPR 85 — field comparison calculated at page load
The contenders
Call Me Betty KTB Fit 61/100
Call Me Betty arrives in solid form after two wins from her last three starts and holds a fair rating that matches the level of this race. With an RPR of 88 she compares favourably on ability, and she has won over today's 6f trip while being placed both times she has run on good ground. The 4-year-old has never been to Pontefract before but the yard posts a 10% strike-rate here from a large sample of runners. Trainer and jockey combine with a 2/13 record and positive 1.37 A/E, which adds confidence. As a habitual front-runner she is sure to be prominent from stall 7 in a race where the pace is set to be strong, potentially setting things up nicely if the leaders fold late.
Daytona Lady KTB Fit 54/100
Daytona Lady is a fair handicapper who has been consistent this year with form of 31342 and an RPR of 88. She has won seven times at this trip though her record on good ground is modest with just one success from five starts. The trainer has a 9% strike rate from 289 runs at Pontefract while the mare was well held on her only previous run here. Usually held up and producing her effort late, she is well suited by the anticipated strong pace that could collapse in the straight. From draw 1 she has the perfect slot to track the leaders before delivering her challenge, though the yard and jockey figures at the track remain modest.
Dorney Lake KTB Fit 52/100
Dorney Lake is a fair sort who has won four times at this trip but has been below form this year and now tries headgear for the first time. With an RPR of 84 he is competitive on figures and dropping in class looks a positive move. Pontefract is a new track for him while the trainer has a modest 4% strike rate here from 26 runners. He goes well on good ground with two wins and two places from four starts and is a confirmed hold-up performer with high confidence in that run-style. In a race with a strong pace expected, his late surge could be well timed if the front-runners pay for their exertions.
Veydari KTB Fit 52/100
Veydari is a fair 2-year-old with an RPR of 85 and has already won over this 6f trip as well as at Pontefract itself. He steps back up from 5f having shown consistent form in better company than this, though he is yet to win on good ground from four attempts. The yard's 14% strike-rate at the track from a large sample gives solid course connections, and the trainer-jockey partnership shows 6/74 with a 0.70 A/E. A front-runner with medium confidence in that style, he is likely to be up with the pace from stall 5 and could take advantage if the race falls apart late on.
Just Queen High KTB Fit 52/100
Just Queen High is a fair performer on her best days with an RPR of 87 and two wins from four starts at this trip. She has won on good ground and looks well drawn in stall 2, though her two runs this season have been poor. The yard has an 8% strike rate from 13 runs at Pontefract while Luke Morris has a solid record here with the pair combining at 5/25 and 1.19 A/E. Usually held up and producing her effort late with high confidence, she is another who should relish the strong pace on offer. If she can bounce back to her previous level she will be dangerous in the closing stages.
The rest of the field
Fiscal PolicyKTB Fit 49/100
Fiscal Policy is a fair handicapper who has been in decent form of late with two placed efforts from his last three starts. He won on his only previous visit to Pontefract and has a solid record at this trip with seven wins from 37 starts, though the yard's modest 9% strike rate here from a large sample is a slight negative.
Dicko The LegendKTB Fit 48/100
Dicko The Legend is a fair performer who has run to a similar level on his last two starts and has placed here before. Only one win on good ground from six attempts though and the yard's modest 4% strike-rate at Pontefract is another negative, despite Daniel Tudhope taking the ride on a horse who stays this trip well enough.
Emperor's SonKTB Fit 48/100
Emperor's Son is a fair handicapper who ran well when third on his most recent start and holds solid RPR and Topspeed figures for the grade. He steps up from 5f to 6f having been placed at the longer trip before though he is unproven on good ground from just two attempts, with the yard holding a 14% strike rate at Pontefract from a large sample.
GreatKTB Fit 43/100
Great is a fair performer who has run to a similar level on all three starts this year and was placed over C&D on his only previous visit to Pontefract. Dropping back to 6f looks a sensible move after his latest effort over 7f and he has won at today's trip in the past, though the trainer has a modest 6% strike rate here from 34 runs.
HecticKTB Fit 42/100
Hectic is a fair handicapper who has run to a similar level on his last three starts without threatening to win. He has shown enough at Pontefract and over this trip to suggest he can be competitive again from stall 9, though his record on good ground is only modest and the trainer's 4% strike rate from 26 runs at the track is a negative.
KTB verdict
Call Me Betty stands out as the KTB Selection on a Fit score of 61 and with the strongest recent form in the field. She has the right blend of speed to make the running, an RPR that stacks up, and a yard that knows the track well enough despite her own lack of course experience. The strong pace shape should ensure the race is truly run, which may just play into her hands if she can dictate from the front. Main dangers are likely to come from the hold-up brigade, with Daytona Lady, Dorney Lake in first-time headgear, and the well-drawn Just Queen High all capable of pouncing if the leaders go too hard.
KTB Selection Call Me Betty
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 09:13 UTC, 8 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Call Me Betty | 11/2 | 10Bet |
| Daytona Lady | 15/2 | 10Bet |
| Dorney Lake | 10/1 | 10Bet |
| Veydari | 7/1 | Bet365 |
| Just Queen High | 25/1 | 10Bet |
| Fiscal Policy | 7/1 | Unibet |
| Dicko The Legend | 9/2 | 10Bet |
| Emperor's Son | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| Great | 6/1 | William Hill |
| Hectic | 16/1 | 10Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 9:00 Pontefract. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Pontefract racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horses are likely to set the pace?
Call Me Betty and Veydari are both front-runners who tend to make the running or race on the pace.
How does the expected pace shape influence the race?
A strong pace is likely with two or more habitual front-runners, which could collapse late and favour hold-up horses.
Which runners are dropping in class?
Dorney Lake, Veydari and Hectic are all dropping in class, while Dicko The Legend is also dropping in class.
Who is wearing first-time headgear?
Dorney Lake is trying first-time headgear.
Which horse has course-and-distance form at Pontefract?
Great was placed over C&D on his only previous visit to Pontefract.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies