It’s a hectic Friday evening of racing action in-store, with a plethora of meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland.
They race on the July Course at Newmarket, where the action runs from 5.22pm through until 8.22pm on a seven-race card at Flat-racing’s HQ.
You can watch all the Newmarket action – alongside every race from the UK and Ireland – via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, and our tipster has a race-by-race analysis of the card
5.22 – Rich Energy Fillies’ Handicap (1m)
FASHION FREE doesn’t boast a great strike rate (3-28), but the 4YO Muhaarar filly enjoyed a good winter/spring campaign on the all-weather (two wins) and, following a short break, has gone close in two of three turf starts lately.
She was narrowly denied at Yarmouth (1m, good to firm) last month before perhaps failing to get home over further at Doncaster in a race where things didn’t go her way. Last week, she almost came from last-to-first to win at Nottingham (1m½f, good to firm) under this claiming rider.
That was an excellent effort, given it so often proves tough making up ground on that track. From the same mark, they surely have excellent claims with a repeat.
Selection: Fashion Free @ 7/2
5.52 – Rich Energy British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (6f)
Berkshire Phoenix has been gelded since he ran last and could improve, while Lil Guff was second in a Newbury novice a fortnight ago on her second start, and she has her own claims if improving again. The standard is not high, so the newcomers are to be watched closely. SERENITY has plenty going for her on paper, and William Haggas’ team are in flying form. Any good vibes behind her are worth noting.
Selection: Serenity @ 11/4
6.22 – Rich Club With Rich Energy Nursery (7f)
This is a better contest than the Brighton novice (7f, good to soft) won by DEVASTE earlier in the month but the Buratino colt appeared to achieve that win with something in reserve. David Elsworth’s youngster now dips his hooves into a nursery for the first time, and an opening mark of 79 could be manageable given that improved run recently. Fall Of Rome for Godolphin has thrice been placed in maiden/novice company and rates a potential improver in this sphere.
Selection: Devaste @ 6/1
6.52 – Rich Energy Powering You Handicap (1m)
Wishaah made a winning start at Kempton last month and only narrowly failed under a penalty behind a potentially smart Godolphin-owned winner at Newcastle since.
Owen Burrows’ gelded son of Oasis Dream is tongue-tied for this turf/handicap bow and has plenty of scope for better. ROYAL AIR FORCE has had excuses for two defeats this season, firstly in the Group 3 Craven on his comeback and, in May, on handicap bow in a bog at Haydock.
These conditions are more likely to suit, and he has been gelded since that run. First-time blinkers are also tried, and Simon & Ed Crisford’s charge can bounce back.
Selection: Royal Air Force @ 4/1
7.22 – Rich Energy Two Drinks One Taste Novice Stakes (1m4f)
Line Of Descent shaped with promise on debut at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in March but didn’t come forward on that when sent off favourite there over this distance last month. He will have more to give, but AURIFEROUS was a touch unfortunate not to score at Thirsk/Salisbury over this trip in May/June, and he ran well in a 1m6f soft-ground Haydock handicap off 78 when third on his most recent start. The son of Golden Horn holds fair claims as such retuned to novice company.
Selection: Auriferous @ 7/4
7.52 – Rich Energy Sugar Free Handicap (1m)
COSMOS RAJ was a winner over this trip at Wetherby in April on turf bow and has applied himself well in five starts since, finishing second in three of those. A drop back to 7f for an apprentice race at York this month didn’t pay off, and getting back to the mile looks like the right move. He’s eased 1lb, and the booking of James Doyle can only be a positive. They are as likely as any in an open heat.
Selection: Cosmos Raj @ 10/3
8.22 – Rich Energy Powering Premium Handicap (7f)
A handicap mark that slid 8lb after three tentative runs at 5f/6f this term was something BHUBEZI was able to full advantage of last weekend at Newbury when he won an apprentice contest on his first attempt at this 7f distance. He beat an in-form rival into second and did so with something to spare. The 3YO escapes a penalty for his troubles there, and rider Jonny Peate can now claim his 7lb in this contest. More success may beckon for them.
Selection: Bhubezi @ 6/5
*All odds correct at time of writing