Dakota Gold provides the best betting opportunity on Friday in Pontefract’s Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap (7.35).

Michael Dods’ four-year-old sprinter began life off a mark of 79 last year but quickly rose up the ratings with a serious of fine efforts, showing a notable turn of foot to win at Thirsk and York before being an unlucky loser back on the Knavesmire when beaten a neck by Major Jumbo (now rated 103).

Dakota Gold began this season off a lofty perch of 100, but has found life difficult in class two company, and a line can be drawn through his latest below-par effort at Newcastle, his first try at all-weather.

The handicapper has dropped him a handy 3lb for that effort, so he can now race back in 0-95 company and looks the class act in this field of six, with several exposed rivals, and with Callum Rodriguez taking off a further 3lb. It’ll be disappointing if he’s beaten for sprint-king Dods.

In the race which follows, the Dickies Workwear Claiming Handicap (8.05), Bravery could be well worth chancing to defy a lengthy lay-off.

David O’Meara’s talented and consistent five-year-old posted a series of excellent efforts in 2017, most notably when landing the Lincoln at Doncaster off a mark of 100 after a 167-day lay-off, before an unfortunate second to the well-handicapped Zabeel Prince at York in October.

Gelded over the winter, Bravery gets to race here off a mark of 88 given the nature of this race, and while the long absence could be a slight worry, he clearly goes well fresh and there’s every chance he’ll be ready to roll for O’Meara and jockey Shane Gray.

A repeat of that Lincoln performance would make Bravery extremely difficult to beat.

There’s an element of trepidation about the next selection in Newbury’s Irish Thoroughbreds Marketing Rose Bowl Stakes (3.35), but Natalie’s Joy is taken to make amends for her Royal Ascot flop.

I for one couldn’t have Mark Johnston’s filly beat as she went off 5/4f for the Chesham at the Royal meet, but she was slow into stride and despite making some headway halfway, was never able to land a blow under Joe Fanning, fading into seventh.

It was a deflating performance but I’m keeping the faith, especially dropped back in trip to the six furlongs over which she was so impressive on debut at Goodwood back in May, hammering her eight rivals in decisive fashion.

Frankie Dettori takes the ride prior to his ban, and if Natalie’s Joy can resume her progress, she can get the better of main rivals Emaraaty Ana, who made a fine start to his career when making all at Windsor, having the run of the race.

Finally, Five Angels can make a winning debut in Haydock’s Smarkets British EBF Novice Stakes (2.40).

Tom Dascombe does very well with his juveniles at Haydock and this well-bred colt has plenty of speed in his pedigree, by Dark Angel out of Clear Impression.

Stable jockey Richard Kingscote is on board and out of a handy draw in four, it would be no surprise if Five Angels knows his job first time out in what looks a winnable novice affair.