Friday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Connections of Connie’s Rose reach for first time cheekpieces in her bid to go one better than her three recent runner-up efforts but she may have to play second fiddle once again to SARAH’S VERSE (best priced at 11/4). The Ronald Harris trained seven-year-old won following a break on heavy ground at Bath in April off a mark of 61 before winning over 5 ½ furlongs at the same track a week ago in impressive style. 

Sarah’s Verse beat the reopposing Connie’s Rose by 3 ¼ lengths that day off a mark of 64 and the handicapper has raised her 8lbs for that victory. She instead runs here under a 4lb penalty meaning she is 4lbs “well in” at the weights but crucially also gets the assistance of talented 5lb claimer Sean D Bowen this time and she should prove hard to beat. 

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This looks a weak renewal of the Oaks this season with YLANG YLANG (best priced at 15/8) the only previous Group 1 winner in the field and with her 6lbs clear of her nearest rival on ratings. It could therefore be argued that her current odds are generous given that she has won her previous two starts on soft ground, including in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile last season when staying on strongly at the finish.

Ylang Ylang was only beaten a length when finishing a staying on 5th in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her reappearance in a race where both Fallen Angel (Irish) and Darnation (German) have both won renewals of 1000 Guineas since. Based on her running style more than her pedigree, she should appreciate this step up in trip to 1m4f and should prove hard to beat if running up to her rating of 112. 

The thriving Kelpie Grey was bidding for a four-timer when bumping into NIKOVO (best priced at 11/4) last time at Ayr and he should prove hard to beat under a 5lb penalty. The David O’Meara trained five-year-old won on his first two starts for the stable having joined from Archie Watson before finishing an unlucky 3rd at Leicester when badly hampered and beaten only 1 ¼ lengths. Off the same mark he won easily at Ayr last time by four lengths beating the in-form rival Kelpie Grey.

The handicapper has raised Nikovo 11lbs for that impressive success last time so he is 6lbs “well in” at the weights under this 5lb penalty and he should prove extremely hard to beat if coping with the softer ground.