Friday provides a bumper race card ahead of the weekend with meetings at Ascot, Chepstow, Sandown, Thirsk, Uttoxeter, York, Cork and Kilbeggan across the UK and Ireland for punters to enjoy. Yesterday, we landed yet another winner when Gers Gigi scored at Wexford, while the second of our three tips, Surpass, placed at Tipperary. Keep reading to discover our latest horse racing betting tips for today’s card.
Best Tip #1: Solar Drive – Cork, 20:15
Solar Drive was a winning handicap debutant over C&D on his last visit to Cork in late April and his form has been solid since. Runs to second at Sligo and Roscommon were followed by another decent showing at Ballinrobe (3rd) in June.
The 3-year-old was beaten by only one and a half lengths on that occasion and with today’s jockey MW Hassett adding a 5lb claimer, Solar Drive could improve to score.
Elsewhere, Our Lil is likely to be a contender for JP Murtagh and she has enjoyed plenty of market movement in his direction on horse racing betting sites.
Our Lil finished second for her new stable debut at Killarney earlier this month and with cheekpieces applied today, a step-up from that performance looks possible in Cork.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 9/4 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 9/4 |
| Fitzdares | 9/4 |
Best Tip #2: Baltic – Ascot, 16:10
The Slingsby Gin Handicap has more than a couple of interesting candidates today, though it’s difficult to look beyond Harry Charlton’s Baltic, who takes red-hot form into the meeting.
The Frankel colt has won four races in a row, with three of those victories coming since May over similar distances. There is an 8b rise to consider, however, the 4-year-old is reliable enough to bear the extra load.
Individualism meanwhile, is another eye-catching prospect. He scored at Carlisle when last seen in early July having placed in five out of eight starts before that, and despite stepping up in class today, he has been shaping up like a horse who is ready for a bigger test.
Waxing Gibbous, who has a record of 2-1-2 from his last three outings, also warrants respect.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 7/4 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 7/4 |
| Fitzdares | 7/4 |
Best Roughie: Iris Dancer – York, 19:15
There was plenty to like about Iris Dancer’s display when she beat eight others to win at Carlise last time out and that was her second triumph in three races following another victory at Hamilton in May.
She got the better of today’s rival May Blossom in Carlisle earlier this month and Iris Dancer has the look of a player again at York having gone up just 2lb in the ratings.
The lightly-raced Rayat is another name for shortlists, albeit at a much tighter price on sports betting apps. His drop to 6f earlier this month seemed to suit as evidenced by his winning performance at Nottingham and though he has crept up 7lb in the aftermath, he could make another push over the same trip today.
Hattrick-chasing Runninwild should also factor into your thinking despite a 7lb increase.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 16/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 16/1 |
| Fitzdares | 16/1 |
Stats and Insights
- The flat course at Cork runs around a right-handed oval and offers a fair setting for most types. Jockeys WJ Lee, Colin Keane, Shane Foley and Ronan Whelan have all enjoyed success at Cork over the last five seasons. All five jockeys are riding at today’s meeting.
- Previous course experience can be a potent weapon for horses competing at Ascot and races that involved running down the straight mile can be a challenge for most. Trainers William Haggas, John & Thady Gosden, Andrew Balding, Roger Varian and Charlie Appleby deserve attention on race day at Ascot.
- The circuit at York is one for the gallopers due to the wide bends and long run in up the home straight. William Haggas has had more wins at York (33) than any other trainer over the last five seasons.
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