Racing on Friday comes from Southwell, Newcastle and Dundalk, with all three of those meetings coming on all-weather surfaces.
Lingfield and Market Rasen were scheduled to feature today, but unfortunately they were both abandoned due to frozen tracks.
Our fancies this afternoon include a Richard Hughes runner who is stepping up in distance at Southwell and who will have a great chance of continuing his hot form on the AW surface.
Selections
- Southwell 1:50 – Pittsburg @ 2/1
- Southwell 2:20 – Villalobos @ 2/1
- Newcastle 3:45 – Fire Snowfall @ 9/4
Tip 1
Dual-purpose gelding PITTSBURG (2/1) has been successful over hurdles, but he is still looking for his first victory on the Flat in the 1:50 at Southwell. He came very close last time out at this course (1m) on his handicap debut, finishing a close second of 12 runners.
Ryan Potter’s runner has gone up just 1lb for his near miss at this venue. His connections have opted to step him up in trip by 3f, which should not be a problem for this versatile horse, as he prevailed over 2m3½f over hurdles.
The son of Sageburg features as one of the Most Napped selections on the Betfred Betfinder this afternoon. He is unexposed on the Flat and if he can step up on what he produced here last month, he will have a great chance of going one place better this time.
Tip 2
Since having wind surgery last July, VILLALOBOS (2/1) has been in fantastic form. He has only once finished worse than second in five starts following that procedure and the four-year-old remains off a mark that he can work with in the 2:20 at Southwell.
Richard Hughes’ runner prevailed at Chelmsford (1m2f) two runs back. He went close to successfully following up on the AW at Lingfield (1m2f) earlier this month, but he was denied by just a head. Had there been an extra 100 yards or so in that race, the result would most likely have been better for him.
A step up to 1m3f seems a wise move for this son of Footstepsinthesand. He will appreciate this stiffer test and he has been handed a nice draw on the inside, which will give rider Finley Marsh options out of the stalls.
Tip 3
FIRST SNOWFALL (9/4) prevailed over this C&D at Newcastle last week to break her maiden. She scored by four lengths in that race, after going clear of the field inside the final furlong. A 5lb penalty may not be enough to stop her from doubling her tally in the 3:45 at Newcastle.
The six-year-old from Archie Watson’s yard is a daughter of Dubawi, who used to be owned by Godolphin. She struggled in the early stages of her career in handicap company, but she has dropped down 16lb since her opening mark of 70, which has made life easier for her.
A repeat of what she produced here eight days ago should see this mare win the opener at the Gosforth Park racecourse.
