ITV Racing Preview Friday
Great day ahead with racing from York, Newmarket and Chepstow live on ITV Racing. The Jumps return and I can’t wait with the Grade 2 Persian War the highlight where 7 youngsters do battle.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Friday Schedule
1.35 York Betsafe Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) 1m4f
1.50 Newmarket Academ Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3) 5f
2.05 York Betsafe Double Winnings Handicap (Class 2) 1m
2.25 Newmarket Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3) 7f
2.40 York Betsafe Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 1m6f
3.00 Newmarket Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2) 7f
3.15 Chepstow Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m31/2f
3.35 Newmarket bet365 Fillies’ Mile (Group 1) 1m
4.10 Newmarket bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 1m4f
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Newmarket 12.45 Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (Plus 10/ GBB Race) (Div 1) 7f
Haija bumped into a smart looking filly in Monsoon Moon at Newmarket on debut last month and that was a very good run. She is sure to improve from that and sets a good standard but I think it’s worth chancing DIVINE LIGHT on debut. Charlie Appleby and William Buick teamed up with the winner last year in Spring Of Love and she was also seeing a racecourse for the first time. This 370,000 guineas purchase is a half-sister to Viren’s Army and Eagle Creek and could be a nice prospect in the making.
Bellazada and Achelois also have experience on side but both have to improve plenty to have a say. Bawaady is also making her debut and is bred to be smart so is worth keeping an eye on in the market.
Newmarket 1.15 Godolphin Under Starters Orders Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (Plus 10/ GBB Race) (Div 2) 7f
Not an easy race to have a strong view on as only two of the runners have ran before. I am going to side with the experience of NEBULOSA who ran a decent third at the track last time out which will be valuable. She was slow away that day and looks to have plenty to come.
Brunnera is the other with experience but that was on the AW at Newcastle so I would be more inclined to put up Romantic Song as the danger who looks a good prospect on paper from a good yard.
York 1.35 Betsafe Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) 1m4f
Just the 4 go to post in the Cumberland Lodge this year as LOGICIAN has probably scared them all off. He was declared in France at the weekend but has been put in this much easier race instead possibly because of the bad ground in France. He can be fragile but will be a nice ride for Martin Harley (Frankie still in quarantine) and I would be shocked if he doesn’t win easily.
Highland Lodge isn’t really a danger but will be the one to chase him home. Desert Encounter will give his honest running but has hit work cutout and Euchen Glen simply isn’t good enough to spring any sort of an upset.
Newmarket 1.50 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3) 5f
Method is a good looking sort and he made a striking impression winning on debut before following up impressively in the Rose Bowl at Newbury. He was fiercely keen in the Middle Park and then the saddle slipped so that run can be written off. He is open to further improvement and still looks to have a bright future so is a deserved favourite. All that being said I can’t get away from BAHRAIN PRIDE at a price. The step back to the minimum in soft ground looks ideal for this son of Kodiac and he looks sure to run a big race under James Doyle. Definitely the value (13/2 at time of writing) so he is put forward as my selection.
Acklam Express doesn’t know how to run a bad race and lost little in defeat when fourth at Doncaster last time. Back in his own age group he should give them all a fright. Atalis Bay is on a roll and is probably a bit overpriced if proving himself in conditions.
York 2.05 Betsafe Double Winnings Handicap (Class 2) 1m
I found this race a nightmare to dissect but we got there in the end. Hopefully we can make some profit with two each way selections. The first of them is OUZO for Richard Hannon. This son of Charm Spirit won three times in 2019 and he was back to somewhere near his best when fifth in a strong handicap over C&D in August before failing to see out the trip at Newbury last time. He has been dropped 2lb since and this trip looks his optimum so he should definitely have his supporters.
My second selection in the race is HESSLEWOOD. This 4yo won here on debut and has some solid form to his name. He was back to winning ways at Haydock a fortnight ago and a 5lb rise doesn’t look too harsh. He is a big price at 16/1 and I’ll be hoping he can at least run into a place. Dangers are obviously a plenty given how competitive it is. Chance is feared and Hortzadar also has to be involved given recent form.
Newmarket 2.25 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3) 7f
This looks a decent renewal of the Oh So Sharp Stakes with a few of these having a lot of potential. Roger Varian has won 2 of the last 3 renewals of this race and whilst he runs two this year NAZUNA looks the one to be on. She ran so well over course and distance in a Group 2 last time behind a well regarded horse in Isabella Giles. She finished second that day and was staying on well at the finish and with a repeat of that effort she should be bang there.
Thinking Of You is a horse I like a lot on her two runs so far and will surely be the main danger but I just think the selection has the edge with previous experience at the track. Saffron Beach made a winning start and shouldn’t be ruled out either.
York 2.40 Betsafe Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 1m6f
A very competitive handicap as always but I think ISPAHAN has plenty of scope to be much better than a mark of 81. He gave the race to Zeeband last time and is a pound better off this time. He travelled into the race like a good horse but hung late on. He will get better with every race and should go close off such a low weight.
Zeeband who beat the selection last time will be in the mix again as clearly has more to come along with Strawberry Rock who ran a cracker at Ripon. Favourite Moon is obviously a good horse but has to give a fair bit of weight to some horses with a lot of room for improvement.
Newmarket 3.00 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2) 7f
I know KHALOOSY hasn’t really backed up that Britannia romp but I certainly don’t think it was a fluke and I want to keep him on side here. His two runs since haven’t been bad enough to rule him out confirming that initial promise. The faster ground didn’t suit at Goodwood and he was only beaten 3 lengths at Haydock by Top Rank and My Oberon who are both very useful. He is back in trip to 7f and if they go hard it could suit him. He gets soft ground again and could still be a pattern-class performer.
Happy Power comes here with confidence high after two convincing wins and has to be feared. Glorious Journey won a Listed race at Newbury 3 weeks ago and should also go well. Daahyeh has an 11-month absence to overcome but it will be interesting to see how she goes with an eye to the future.
Chepstow 3.15 Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m31/2f
The betting is suggesting Mcfabulous is a good thing here but I don’t think it’s as straightforward as that and at a shade of odds-on I have to be in opposition. One For The Team belatedly opened his account over hurdles when last seen 244 days ago at Newbury and is a big player off the back of that but again that form wouldn’t pull down any trees. I’m willing to take a chance on EVERGLOW for Philip Hobbs. He went down just a neck in a bumper at this meeting a year ago and improved to chase home Israel Champ in a Listed content a month later. He is bred to jump and should come into his own now. He certainly doesn’t lack size and I think he could be a smart recruit.
Getaround maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles when landing the odds on return at Perth last month. He should get competitive but this is obviously much tougher. Courtandbould has fitness over a few of these and could acquit himself well despite the jump up in grade.
Newmarket 3.35 bet365 Fillies’ Mile (Group 1) 1m
The Fillies’ Mile always produces some very good horses to follow as 2 and 3 year olds and this year looks no different. As mentioned in the 2.25 race ISABELLA GILES is highly regarded and looks a decent price at time of writing (11/2). She has won 4 of her 5 runs and the step up to the mile should suit. She is proven at Newmarket and seemingly handles any ground. I would be disappointed if she wasn’t fighting out the finish.
Indigo Girl is another that has impressed and looks the main danger ahead of Pretty Gorgeous and Shale. The latter pair have been fighting out good races all season and won’t be far away.
Newmarket 4.10 bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m4f
Surrey Pride is progressing nicely and comes here chasing a hat-trick so I can see him being popular but I’m willing to take a chance on SHANDOZ completing the four-timer. He hasn’t looked back since stepping up to this trip and won with a bit up his sleeve at Ascot last time. A 7lb rise doesn’t look too damming and with the promise of more to come he looks sure to run a big race and at a nice price as well.
Brilliant Light has looked promising winning two from three and will appreciate going back up in trip here. Definitely comes into the reckoning so is feared along with Doubling Dice who is chasing a hat-trick. Buick rode the winner Trushan last year and saddles Cepheus this time around for Brian Meehan and that Sea The Stars colt may outrun his price-tag.
Newmarket 4.45 Darley Pride Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 3) 1m2f
Interesting race with a couple of these bombing out last time but are capable of much better. FRANCONIA is one I think is better than this level and back down to 1m2f she should be seen at her best again. She failed to show her true form in the Yorkshire Oaks behind Love and tailed off. Her form when beating Gold Wand is rock solid and visually it was impressive. If she is anywhere near her best she will take all the beating.
Magic Lily is better than Group 3 level as well but disappointed at Ascot over a mile last time and I feel the selection has a lot more potential especially with the 3 year old allowance. Anna Nerium should outrun her odds at 9/1 and could follow the selection home.
ITV Racing Trixie
With 9 races live on ITV on Friday afternoon we’ve picked out our three most confident selections and combined them to make a Win Trixie.
ITV Racing Trixie
Newmarket 2.25 Nazuna
Newmarket 3.00 Khaloosy
Newmarket 3.35 Isabella Giles EYE CATCHER
Pays 130/1!
ITV Racing Each Way Double
With so much racing live on ITV on Friday we also have an Each Way Double for you which combines two horses we think are overpriced to try and land that big win.