Sunday Racing – Three Selections | 16th August 2026

Three selections for us today, beginning on the Tapeta at Southwell before we head to Pontefract for two bets later on the card.

There is a common theme running through today's selections. In all three cases, we think there are legitimate reasons to expect a better performance than the bare form of the horse's latest run might suggest.

As always, the tissue price is important. Finding the right horse is only part of the equation; we also need the right price.

1.30 Southwell – CLIFF DANGER

1 point win
Tissue: 6.5 BSP

Cliff Danger is an interesting lightly raced three-year-old who we think could take a significant step forward now moving back up in distance.

He is the first foal of a dam who won over 1¾ miles and was also successful in bumpers, so there is certainly plenty of stamina on the dam's side of his pedigree.

His best effort in his first three starts arguably came when fourth in a Nottingham novice over 1¼ miles in May, and those early runs always suggested that distance rather than speed would ultimately prove his forte.

He made his handicap debut here at Southwell last time but dropped back in trip, and the race didn't really get to the bottom of him.

Steadied at the start, he took a strong hold before being shaken up two furlongs from home. He was never able to become seriously involved, but importantly he wasn't knocked about once his chance had gone.

We are happy to forgive that performance.

The return to a more suitable stamina test today is a major positive and there should still be plenty more to come from a horse having only his fifth career start. The step up to around 1½ miles looks much more in keeping with both his pedigree and the promise he showed at Nottingham.

CLIFF DANGER – 1 point win at 6.5 BSP or bigger.

5.45 Pontefract – FLUORESCENCE

1 point win
Tissue: 3.5 BSP

Fluorescence is a filly we want to keep on the right side of.

She stays 6f and has already demonstrated her versatility regarding underfoot conditions, acting on Tapeta as well as good-to-firm and good-to-soft turf.

She had previously been pitched into Group 3 company, where circumstances didn't show her to best effect, before returning to handicap company at Hamilton last time.

That Hamilton performance was excellent.

She travelled strongly in touch but found herself short of room at an important stage approaching the final furlong. Once switched and finally able to deliver her challenge, she finished strongly and only just failed in a desperately tight finish.

Given the narrow margins involved, it isn't difficult to argue that a clear passage might have made the difference between winning and losing.

The handicapper has raised her just 2lb, which looks perfectly manageable on the evidence of that run.

She drops back to 5f today, but she certainly isn't short of speed, and her ability to travel strongly should be an asset around Pontefract. A handy draw adds another positive.

This is a competitive Class 2 handicap, but Fluorescence remains relatively lightly raced and we don't believe the handicapper has caught up with her yet.

FLUORESCENCE – 1 point win at 3.5 BSP or bigger.

6.45 Pontefract – HAVANA RUM

1 point each-way
Tissue: 6.0 BSP

Our final selection is Havana Rum in what looks a very interesting 6f handicap.

He is a proven 6f performer who acts on a wide variety of surfaces, including Polytrack, Tapeta, soft turf and good-to-firm ground. He tends to be ridden patiently, so the shape of the race will be important, but there are several reasons to think he can run a big race.

His latest appearance came at York in a stronger contest than he usually tackles.

He raced in midfield, was pushed along around two furlongs out and kept on without ever being subjected to a particularly hard race. We thought it was a perfectly respectable effort and one which suggested he remains in good form.

He does have approximately 3½ lengths to find with Veblen Good on their York running and that rival is respected again today.

However, we think the gap between them can be considerably smaller this time.

Havana Rum is now back down to his last winning handicap mark, while the booking of Ethan Tindall, who removes another valuable 5lb, makes his effective racing weight particularly attractive.

He is also drawn towards the inside, which gives Tindall options. If they can find a position without getting trapped too far behind the pace, Havana Rum should be capable of getting involved late.

Veblen Good sets a reasonable standard, but at the respective prices Havana Rum makes considerably more appeal to us as an each-way proposition.

HAVANA RUM – 1 point each-way at 6.0 BSP or bigger.