RACHEL Richardson, who rode the biggest winner of her career on GRAN CANARIA QUEEN at York earlier this month, is hoping for more of the same from her speedy mount at Pontefract this afternoon.

The Filey-born apprentice partners the six-year-old, trained by her boss Tim Easterby, in the £15,000 EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Park Suite Fillies' Handicap over six furlongs.

Gran Canaria Queen has been in the form of her life this summer and her latest Knavesmire success, when she beat Love Island by a neck, was her second success, following on from a Ripon victory over Ridge Ranger, who prior to York had beaten her a short head at Chester.

The handicapper has raised Gran Canaria Queen 4lb in the ratings to a mark of 86, which means she is now on a career high. She is, though, well drawn in stall one for a front-runner and Richardson's 5lb claim can help her chalk up another win.

The £18,000 Spindrifter Conditions Stakes is the most valuable race on the card and Jack Berry will be keeping his fingers tightly crossed that Dodgy Bob, whom he jointly-owns, can take the honours under Jamie Spencer. A Ripon winner two starts back, the juvenile has since gone down by half a length at Chepstow.

Dodgy Bob should go well again, but in a very tight race, GOLD MEDALLION may be the one to be on. Trained by Mark Johnston, whose two-year-olds have been in sizzling form this season, this colt made a striking winning debut at Leicester a month ago and looks capable of plenty more improvement as the season unfolds.

Richard Hannon's AGE OF EMPIRE, the Richard Fahey-trained Young Josh and David O'Meara's Redcar winner MON BEAU VISAGE make up the field for this six furlong prize, and none of them can be ruled out of contention.

The Richard Lingwood - A Lifetime In Racing Handicap is staged in honour of the owner of Norton Grove Stud. A Racing Welfare incentive to name races in recognition of the sport's 'unsung heroes,' Lingwood is a fitting choice, having worked in racing, and particularly the breeding side of the business, all his life.

SLEEPING APACHE, trained near Darlington by Michael Dods, makes plenty of appeal, despite top weight.

Paul Mulrennan's mount has twice finished runner-up since winning on this course on his seasonal debut in April. Beaten a length and a quarter by Jan Van Hoof here earlier in the month, the five-year-old can go one better.

RACING KNIGHT, trained by John Quinn, may prove the answer to the Wayne Conway Memorial Handicap.

The three-year-old failed by only a neck to beat Sampera at Leicester last time when stepped up to a mile and a quarter. He now tackles a mile and a half and the longer distance may eke out further improvement from him.

Richard Fahey's AS GOOD AS GOLD, who got off the mark at Ripon recently, has been found a suitable opportunity to follow up in the Wilfred Underwood Memorial Classified Stakes. Tony Hamilton has the mount.

Up at Musselburgh's evening meeting, COWSLIP, who has been in such excellent form over hurdles this summer, should be noted back on the flat in the opening Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing Apprentice Handicap.

George Moore's mare has won three of her last five races over timber and been placed in the other two, raising her rating in the process from 87 to 123. She is now set to race off 47 in this two miles event on the level and should give Phil Dennis a good ride.

WELFORD, beaten less than a length by Spongy at Leicester last time, has every chance of going one better in the British Stallion Studs Maiden Stakes, while nap selection JUST PAUL is worth supporting in the Edinburgh Gin Handicap in the hands of Jack Garritty.

The five-year-old was beaten less than two lengths by Harwoods Volante when finishing fifth at Wetherby last week. He goes well over this course and distance and figures on a handy mark.

Racing selections:

Pontefract

2.30 Arizona John, 3.00 Gold Medallion, 3.30 Sleeping Apache, 4.00 Gran Canaria Queen, 4.30 Racing Knight, 5.00 As Good As Gold, 5.30 Thornaby Nash

Musselburgh

6.15 Cowslip, 6.45 Welford, 7.15 New Colours, 7.45 Smart Mover, 8.15 Jebediah Shine, 8.45 Just Paul (NAP), 9.15 Our Time Will Come