Horse Racing: Newmarket & York Preview, Tips – Friday

Top tipster Stefan Fellows previews all the top televised action from Newmarket and York on Friday.

Stefan Fellows

The ITV cameras will be at Newmarket and York on Friday with the rearranged Cumberland Lodge, which was originally scheduled for last week, now being run over the Knavesmire.

The Group Three contest should have been run at Ascot last Saturday – before the meeting was abandoned due to a waterlogged track – with last season’s St Leger winner Logican, trained by John Gosden, looking to make it 7 from 7 here.

John Gosden also trains the favourite in the feature race at Newmarket as the unbeaten Indigo Girl looks to continue her winning run in the Fillies Mile.

Newmarket

UK Horse Racing Newmarket

13:50
5f Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3)

Bahrain Pride is 2 from 2 with cut in the ground and with the ground likely to be riding on the soft side once more is taken to add to that tally here.

The Kodiac colt was a bit too free and failed to see the race out last time over 6f at Newbury so the drop back in trip looks no bad shout.

Method created a big impression when winning a listed race at Newbury and could not show his best 12 days ago when with the rider’s saddle slipping during the race he does have it to prove on this kind of surface though.

Progressive types Royal Address and Atalis Bay are just two others who look to hold good claims in an open looking race.

Selection: Bahrain Pride

14.25
7f Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3)

Thinking Of You was a little unlucky when third at the Curragh on just her second start but that effort still gives her leading form claims with the potential of much more to come from.

The Joseph O’Brien runner won her maiden at Limerick on soft ground so have proven herself under conditions and is a confident pick here.

The Roger Varian trained Nazuna finished 2nd in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes here recently and should be thereabouts once more

Selection: Thinking Of You (Next Best)

Horse Racing Ascot

15.00
7f Challenge Stakes (Group 2)

Khaloosy was an impressive winner at Royal Ascot in handicap company but has struggled at this level since, the drop back a furlong looks the right move and an improved showing would not surprise.

At the likely odds though a chance looks worth taking on the well being of his stablemate Daahyeh who receives a handy filly’s allowance here.

She’s returning to the course after not being seen since finishing second at the Breeders Cup over in Santa Anita some 11 months ago. That is some of the best form on offer here and she also ran the high-class Love close at the Curragh.

Having won the Rockfel Stakes here we have no issues with course and distance plus has form with some cut in the ground.

Happy Power comes here seeking a hat-trick after winning a listed race at Goodwood while Glorious Journey another to respect for the Charlie Appleby/ James Doyle partnership.

Selection: Daahyeh

15.35
1m Fillies Mile (Group 1)

The unbeaten John Gosden trained Indigo Girl has looked the real deal on her first 2 starts and is taken to continue her winning run going now at the highest level.

She won the May Hill at Doncaster with plenty to spare and this impeccably bred Dubawi filly is expected to prove very hard to beat.

Shale and Pretty Gorgeous finished 1-2 in the Moyglare at the Curragh last time out and there is likely to be little between them again here.

Isabella Giles has progressed well recently but this looks a much hotter race and has to prove herself at a mile.

Selection: Indigo Girl (Nap)

16.10
1m 4f Old Rowley Cup Handicap (Class 2)

This is an extremely competitive handicap with plenty of progressive and unexposed 3-year olds in the line-up.

The Roger Varian trained Shandoz has been hit with 7lbr rise for his win in a similar handicap at Ascot last time and that might not be enough to stop him going close once more.

Brilliant Light looked to need every bit of the 10f trip when winning a Sandown handicap last time so this step up in trip looks the right move. Soft ground should be no issue and Oisin Murphy looks an interesting jockey booking for a yard in which he has a 42%-strike rate for here at Newmarket.

The Roger Charlton trained Louganini is 2 from 2 on soft ground and won a maiden here on debut, he has progressed which each start this season and the step up in trip is expected to bring out more improvement and rated the main danger to the selection.

Recent A/W winners Luncies and Galata Bridge are to others to consider for their top yards.

Selection: Brilliant Light

York

Horse racing

13.35
1m 4f Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3)

This looks a straight forward task for Logician. Last season’s St Leger winner at Doncaster proved his well-being with success back at the same course recently and should make it 7 from 7 here.

Desert Encounter rarely runs a bad race and is taken to chase the favourite home.

Selection:  Logican

14.05
1m Handicap (Class 2)

An open looking handicap as you would expect but there looks a lot to like about the chances of last seasons winner Crownthorpe.

We know conditions will suit and the Richard Fahey trained runner looks ready to strike once more when running on well in handicap at Haydock last time when finishing third.

Off just a 1lb higher mark. David O’Meara looks to have a strong hand including the hattrick seeking Hortzadar and last season’s second-place Firmanent who needs to bounce back from a couple of below-par efforts.

Selection:  Crownthorpe

14.40
1m 6f Handicap (Class 2)

The 8lb rise in the weights might not be enough to stop the progressive Favorite Moon here.

He disappointed over course and distance 2 starts back but has since proved that running all wrong when an easy winner of a handicap at Haydock on his latest start.

A winner of his last 5 starts Prince Alex looks sure to go close once more with conditions to suit, this, however, looks a much tougher task than what he has faced to date.

The light raced trio of Strawberry Rock, Zeeband and Ispahan are others to warrant consideration in an open looking race.

Selection:  Favorite Moon

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