Friday’s race card is another bumper edition with six meetings across the UK and Ireland to look forward to at Ascot, Bangor-on-Dee, Haydock, Kempton, Down Royal and Kilbeggan. As per the usual routine, we’ve been poring over formbooks and trends to find angles for the day’s action and below, you can find three of our best horse racing betting tips for Friday’s card.
Best Tip #1: Waleefy – Ascot, 16:10
Waleefy was pipped by less than a length in a competitive handicap race at Newbury on August 17th, though the improver can bounce back at the first time of asking here.
William Haggas’s in-form charge recorded two wins in three outings before his Newbury misfortune, and dropping back down in grade today, the 3-year-old should have what it takes to launch another bold bid.
Stiff competition is expected to be provided by United Approach, meanwhile. Priced competitively on horse racing betting sites, the lightly-raced 4-year-old landed in second spot at Newcastle when last seen when upped to a distance of 7f.
There was enough promise in that performance to suggest he can kick on at Ascot today.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 7/5 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 11/8 |
| Fitzdares | 7/5 |
Best Tip #2: Papagei – Haydock, 13:25
Papagei has been making excellent strides this season and produced an arguably career-best display when lodging a cosy victory at Leicester over 1m 4f in August.
Also a winner at Yarmouth over 1m 2f in April, the 3-year-old has been in the frame in four of his last five outings overall and though an 8lb rise in the ratings is a notable increase, he has enough in his locker to compete again.
Croeso Cymraeg could be another name to consider. The veteran came close to scoring more than once over the summer and finished third at Salisbury and second at Beverley in two of his last three runs.
Racing off the same mark today and with jockey Joe Leavy carrying a 5lb claimer, Croeso Cymraeg could be in the mix again.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 5/4 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 5/4 |
| Fitzdares | 5/4 |
Best Roughie: Old Bill Barley – Kilbeggan, 16:35
Old Bill Barley was a bumper winner at Kilbeggan on his debut two years ago and could be worth shortlisting as a big-price option on betting apps to ruffle some feathers on his return to the track today.
Wille Mullins’s entry was away for two years before returning to finish in a respectable 4th place at Ballinrobe in July. With the cobwebs blown off, he could step things up here.
Elsewhere, Presenting Lad is another eye-catching candidate. His form over fences has been formidable this season and he arrives at Kilbeggan on the cusp of a hattrick having enjoyed success in back-to-back races at Roscommon and Tramore in August.
Listed as 11lb well in over flights, the 8-year-old has good claims again in this 2m handicap hurdle event.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 14/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 14/1 |
| Fitzdares | 14/1 |
Stats and Insights
- Ascot is widely considered to be a specialist’s track and with the nature of the setting there somewhat unique, previous experience can be very useful. Jockeys Ryan Moore, Jim Crowley, Oisin Murphy and William Buick are all proven winners at Ascot and all four will be involved there today.
- Haydock is a gentle run in terms of undulations, though weather in the north west can affect conditions, making the ground a testing challenge for most. William Haggas has been the most successful trainer at Haydock over the last five flat seasons, recording 45 wins over that period.
- The circuit at Kilbeggan is on the small side, though jumps there can be tricky, so confident leapers are usually preferred. Willie Mullins, Henry De Bromhead and Gordon Elliott have all had 20 or more wins at Kilbeggan over the last five jumps seasons.
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