Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Godolphin colt New London (best priced at 5/2) was thought to be their Derby horse this season and he appears to have been awarded a lenient opening handicap mark of 99. The Charlie Appleby trained son of Dubawi made a winning debut at Newmarket on the Rowley Mile last year before making a winning reappearance over that same course and distance defeating the 101 rated Aldous Huxley off level weights by 2 ¼ lengths. 

New London was sent off 4/11 to win the Chester Vase but struggled to handle the track and eventually finished 2nd behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner Changingoftheguard. That rival is now rated 110 so an opening mark of 99 looks very lenient for New London and I expect him to win this before stepping back up into group company.

This looks a competitive handicap but I do feel that Candleford (best priced at 3/1) is a worthy favourite following his Royal Ascot victory last time. The William Haggas trained four-year-old beat on his final start last season and that rival is now rated 111 following a 2nd in the Chester Cup, a win at Royal Ascot and a listed win at Sandown last time. 

Candleford made a winning reappearance at Royal Ascot in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes following 219 days off the track where he was an impressive six length winner off a mark of 91. The handicapper has raised him 13lbs up to a mark of 104 but he looks extremely progressive and I feel he can defy that rise. 

Inspiral will no doubt prove hard to beat in the Falmouth Stakes but I feel that fellow three-year-old Prosperous Voyage (best priced at 11/4) is overpriced in the ‘without’ market. The Ralph Beckett trained filly twice finished 2nd behind Inspiral last time in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster and the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket before finishing a neck 2nd in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. 

Prosperous Voyage disappointed at Royal Ascot but she had excuses that day as she raced wide early and probably saw too much daylight under Rob Hornby. She is top rated behind Inspiral with a rating of 112 but receives 9lbs from her elders and I expect her to follow home the favourite. 

Harry Eustace trained his first Royal Ascot winner earlier this season and I am hoping Ancient Times (best priced at 5/1) can maintain his unbeaten record this year. The four-year-old made a winning reappearance at Doncaster off a mark of 80 before winning the Scottish Sprint Handicap at Musselburgh off a mark of 84 by a neck. 

This race actually represents a drop in class from a 0-105 handicap into a 0-90 handicap and Ancient Times should hold strong claims off only a 5lb higher mark. Bookmakers are offering up to five places on this race and I expect him to be involved in the finish.