There are six meetings in Britain on Friday and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his selections across the cards.
4.10 Newbury - Secret Shadow @ 20/1
7.30 Newmarket - Like A Tiger @ 5/1
7.50 Pontefract - Elegant Erin @ 9/2
8.05 Newmarket - Dora Penny @ 10/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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Kevin Stott has been in flying form recently and he might be able to guide SECRET SHADOW home in the Uhy Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants Fillies’ Handicap (4.10) at Newbury.
The five-year-old is a course-and-distance winner on heavy ground and she is only 2lb higher than when landing her last success at Goodwood in August last year, so is well handicapped.
Those wins came for Andrew Balding and she was well held on her seasonal reappearance and debut for Paul Nicholls at this course in April.
However, that race was run in gruelling conditions and contested by Novel Legend and Call My Bluff, who both ran well in hot contests at the Chester May meeting next time. It was probably a strong race for the grade.
That was also over 2m1/2f, which might have stretched Secret Shadow’s stamina, and it’s worth giving her another chance to make her mark for her new yard, especially if the ground is on the soft side.
Secret Shadow @ 20/1 - 1pt win
The Pertemps Network Handicap (7.30) is one of the feature races on the evening card at Newmarket and it looks like a good opportunity for LIKE A TIGER to return to winning ways.
The lightly-raced son of Farhh appeared to be progressing well in the spring, when recording one of the easiest victories you will see in a handicap on the Rowley Mile. He made a mess of the start that day and almost unshipped his rider, but cruised through to score by four lengths.
James Ferguson stepped Like A Tiger up in grade in the Listed Newmarket Stakes back on the Rowley Mile next time, but he was found wanting in better company and finished sixth.
He has been given a 77-day break since and looks capable of resuming his progress now that he is dropped significantly back down in grade in this Class 3 handicap and can bounce back.
The John Winter & Co 60th Birthday Handicap (7.50) is the best betting race at Pontefract and Elegant Erin appears to be on her way back to form on her third run after a layoff.
The Paul Midgley-trained mare is at her best when faced with a stiff 5f and ease in the conditions. She proved that when landing a competitive handicap at Beverley in September.
Elegant Erin wasn’t seen again until late last month when she beat only four home on her seasonal reappearance at Newcastle, but she put that run well behind her at York last week.
The six-year-old kept on strongly that day to finish a never-nearer fifth behind the reopposing Copper Knight and should be capable of reversing those places on this much stiffer course.
Graham Lee, who rode her to her last win, returns in the saddle and she can go four better.
The British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap (8.05) features several in-form females and Dora Penny isn’t one of them, but she likes this track and is 1lb higher than for her last win.
That victory came on the all-weather at Kempton and her last two wins have come on an artificial surface, but seven of her 10 career wins have come on turf and she goes on grass.
She is also a course-and-distance winner, having landed a Class 2 fillies’ handicap here in July two years ago. This is only a Class 3 event and she evidently has the ability to go well.
She has to give weight all round and faces some unexposed rivals, but her price will reflect that and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that she could cause an upset in this event.
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4.10 Newbury - Secret Shadow @ 20/1
7.30 Newmarket - Like A Tiger @ 5/1
7.50 Pontefract - Elegant Erin @ 9/2
8.05 Newmarket - Dora Penny @ 10/1
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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