Cat's Whiskers, who should be all the better for a recent outing at Doncaster, makes plenty of appeal in the Pontefract Park Showcase Handicap today.

Mick Easterby's four-year-old showed up well for a long way after being switched to the unfavoured stands' side group in the Spring Mile at Town Moor. And, as in the last couple of seasons, looks the type that should be better for a reappearance run.

Easterby's gelding, who won't mind the fast conditions, proved a progressive last year and had both Words And Deeds and Captain Venti behind him when successful at Beverley last July.

As a horse who invariably races close to the pace, he looks ideally berthed in stall two and, although he's given trouble at the start, he is a genuine performer at the business end of the race.

John Dunlop's Persian Lightning was also a progressive sort last season and looks the one to be on in the High-Rise Classified Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter.

The son of Sri Pekan improved to the tune of 20lb last year and turned in his best effort on his final start of 2002 when a close third over a mile-and-a-half.

Although back in trip he's fully effective over this distance, as he showed when just touched off by Honor Rouge over this course and distance last June.

Midnight Creek hasn't always looked straightforward, but has been in fair form over hurdles and gets the vote in the pontefract-races.co.uk Handicap over two miles and one furlong.

Alan Swinbank's runner stays this trip, goes well on a sound surface (even though he's been running on easy ground this winter) and has the invaluable services of Darryll Holland, who may well persuade him to put his best foot forward.

At Sedgefield, Over The Hill has conditions to suit and could be the best bet on the card in the John Wade Skip Hire Selling Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. The gelding won twice at this course at up to three miles and three furlongs on a sound surface last year and, although his usual blinkers are left off, looks a very interesting runner in this grade.

Course specialist Teme Valley also has conditions to suit and is worth siding with in the Newcastle Breweries Handicap Hurdle over two miles and one furlong.

Howard Johnson's horse hasn't been at all disgraced on his last couple of outings, but will be well-suited by the return to the track where he has notched six previous course and distance wins.

Mighty Fine has progressed this term and looks the one to be on in the Discover Racing Sponsorship Handicap Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

Evelyn Slack's runner turned in a career best performance when scoring over this course and distance on a sound surface last time and, although up in the weights again, is fancied to give a good account. Brian Ellison's Transit makes most appeal in the gg.com Series Juvenile Novices Hurdle and Trade Dispute is likely to prove difficult to beat in the Stanley Thompson Memorial Hunters Chase over three miles and three furlongs.

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