11th Apr 2017 | Horse Racing
Pontefract Tips: Monks Stand
Showed good speed as a juvenile and seventh in the Coventry. Gelded over the winter and well handicapped off a mark of 86.
The Onetoawinner partnership enjoyed a fantastic 2016 with Quiet Reflection winning the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup and they clearly have an eye for a sprinter.
Monks Stand was a horse I liked a lot last season, I even backed him for the Coventry Stakes where he finished seventh. He was picked up at the sales for 40,000 Guineas and that looks a terrific piece of business.
He first caught the eye when finishing strongly at Brighton, running the fastest closing sectional and earning an adjusted speed rating of 89. He didn’t win again but was highly tried, running in two Group 2s and a hot handicap at Goodwood.
He finished the season somewhat disappointingly when beaten a neck at Kempton but the winner got first run on him and despite not enjoying the steady pace, he still clocked the fastest closing sectional.
Gelded over the winter, he could make into a decent sprint handicapper with an exploitable mark of 86. It depends if he is fully would up after 244 days but if not today, he’ll be winning very soon.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 05:04 11th Apr, 2017 but subject to change