19:04 Newmarket

Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby potentially saddle two nice types at Newmarket on Friday evening and I’m keen to side with the latter in COSMIC DESERT (best price 7/4). This New Approach gelding shaped with promise over C&D on debut back in April. He left that initial run behind when chasing home Deauville Legend at Windsor and given the latter got within a head of winning at Royal Ascot yesterday that form has been strongly franked since. He was third at Lingfield last month too but just raced too keenly on that occasion and I think this test will suit him much better now he has experience under his belt. Ribchester colt Return To Dubai actually finishing in front of the selection last time but I wouldn’t read too much into that as there was only a length between them. The pair should battle it out but I just feel the selection might be better handicapped.

20:15 Goodwood

Given NEW PURSUIT (best price 7/4) is 2/2 at Epsom this track shouldn’t pose too much of an issue as the undulations can catch some horses out. He ran on well to win last time and a 4lb rise shouldn’t be enough to stop him following up. He has a progressive look to his profile now and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t go in again. He will likely get a nice toe in off Siamsa and Golden Sands and if that pair end up taking each other on early that would work out perfectly in the closing stages. I can see Belardo colt Ermin Street posing the greatest threat as he won at Southwell and then was only beaten a nose at Nottingham. He faded in the closing stages last time but that was a bit of a strange run and it won’t surprise me if people give him another chance. It’s still early days after all and he retains potential. The rest look to be up against it as all need to improve.