Horse Racing betting tips: Misty Dancer can take a step up in class

Graeme Rodway Updated: 29 Jun 23 18:43 Published: 29 Jun 23 12:54

There are seven meetings in Britain and Ireland on Friday and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his three best bets across the cards.

Graeme Rodway's tips

6.05 Curragh - Not Even Close @ 14/1
6.35 Newcastle - Misty Dancer @ 20/1
8.45 Newmarket - Peace Man @ 15/8

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6.05 Curragh - Not Even Close @ SP

The Harp Bar Kildare Handicap (6.05) at the Curragh has attracted a 21-runner field, but it might not be as competitive as it looks as the lightly raced NOT EVEN CLOSE has plenty more to offer.

The three-year-old is without a win since her debut at Dundalk in September, but she has run only twice since and probably needed the outing when fourth at Gowran Park back in April.

She improved significantly for that run when contesting a 15-runner handicap over course and distance last month. She finished only seventh there, but was beaten just three and a quarter-lengths by winner Betterdaysrcoming and that was a good run given her inexperience.

Not Even Close is open to plenty of further improvement on just her fourth outing and should have benefited mentally from that first start against a big field of experienced handicappers.

Graeme Rodway's tip:

Not Even Close @ 14/1 - 1pt win

6.35 Newcastle - Misty Dancer @ SP

The Hoppings Fillies' Stakes (6.35) at Newcastle is the feature Group 3 event on the card and it looks like a good opportunity for MISTY DANCER to prove she can take a step up in class.

Misty Dancer shaped like she might be up to this sort of grade when completing a hat-trick of handicap wins last season on turf at Goodwood, Ayr and Newbury, and she has slowly returned to form this campaign. Her best effort so far came at Chelmsford three weeks ago.

The selection proved she is well suited by an artificial surface that day by coming through to beat White Wolf by a short-head and the front three pulled well clear of the rest of the field.

That win came off a career-high mark of 94 and she recorded her highest RPR of 106. More will be needed now that she tackles stronger company, but she is evidently at the top of her form and looks certain to record another career-best effort. That might be enough to win this.

Graeme Rodway's tip:

Misty Dancer @ 20/1 - 1pt win

8.45 Newmarket - Peace Man @ SP

The Alhabayeb Stands At Meelin Stud Handicap (8.45) rounds off the card at Newmarket and there is every chance the in-form PEACE MAN can complete a hat-trick of turf victories.

Peace Man will be well served by the rain that has hit Newmarket recently as he was successful on soft ground at Windsor last month when comfortably breaking his maiden.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old returned to that track for his handicap debut last time and made short work of the opposition when scoring easily by three lengths.

He has gone up 7lb in the weights and more will be required in this stronger race, but there should be plenty of further improvement to come from Peace Man on just his fourth outing on turf and the presence of the Godolphin runner First Sight might mean he is a fair price.