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17:15 Pontefract Sun 16 Aug 2026 1m2f5y Class 3 Good to Firm 8 runners

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Mr Fox’s call

Mr Seagull silks

Mr Seagull

SPECULATIVE Advised 17/2 Est. 26%

🏁 4TH

Mr Fox says

Mr Seagull (SR:81, 17/2) has been backed in dramatically — 46% market support since opening — which is the single most emphatic market signal in this field and demands explanation rather than dismissal. At 8-6, he carries the lightest weight in the race, a meaningful edge on a good-to-firm summer track where momentum off a light burden matters. His Course:W1P1 record at Pontefract gives him a specialist's edge over most rivals, and his form string -44650 reads poorly on the surface but the visor is newly applied, suggesting connections have a clear plan to sharpen his focus. Hugo Palmer (12% strike rate, 733 runners) is a competent handler and the booking of Luke Morris adds professional solidity. Each-way alternative: Jez Bomb. Main danger: Jez Bomb — Jez Bomb (SR:83, 13/2) is the highest-rated horse with proven DistFit:+ and GoingFit:+ credentials, an outstanding Course:W2P3 record at Pontefract, and a sparkling recent form string of 049121 — three wins in his last five — meaning if the 36% drift is simply a weight concern (MarkMv:+7) rather than a fitness issue, he is entirely capable of upstaging the selection.

Verify· #12767

Full result

Winner: High Degree (GB) at SP 6/4F. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.

  1. 1 High Degree silks High Degree William Haggas · Cieren Fallon 6/5
  2. 2 Financer silks Financer Fox #3 Tim Easterby · David Allan 12/1
  3. 3 Shoof Baeed silks Shoof Baeed Charlie Johnston · Callum Shepherd 7/1
  4. 4 Mr Seagull silks Mr Seagull Fox #1 Hugo Palmer · Luke Morris 6/1
  5. 5 Ammes silks Ammes Fox #4 James Owen · Jason Hart 13/2
  6. 6 Without Compromise silks Without Compromise Antony Brittain · Cam Hardie 18/1
  7. 7 Jez Bomb silks Jez Bomb Fox #2 Sam England · Shane Gray 7/1
  8. 8 Farasi Lane silks Farasi Lane Micky Hammond · Aiden Brookes 50/1

Top 4 — how each finished

  1. 1 Mr Seagull silks Mr Seagull 17/2 🏁 4TH
  2. 2 Jez Bomb silks Jez Bomb 13/2 7TH
  3. 3 Financer silks Financer 12/1 🥈 2ND
  4. 4 Ammes silks Ammes 7/1 5TH