Steve Ryder has picked out two horse racing tips for Friday’s horse racing and lined up another selection for tomorrow’s card at the Ascot.
16:05 Hexham
Steps Match defied odds of 22/1 to make a winning stable debut for Daragh Bourke last time but he is likely to struggle to concede weight to INSTANT GAMBLER (best priced at 7/4) who bids to complete a hat-trick of wins in under a month.
The Alex Dunn trained eight-year-old returned from 565 days off the track to make a winning chasing debut at Fontwell off a mark of 64 before winning easily by nine lengths under a 7lb penalty last time over the same course and distance.
The handicapper has raised Instant Gambler 14lbs for that success so connections have decided to run him here under a 7lb penalty meaning that he is officially 7lbs “well in” at the weights in this race.
This is a stronger race than last time but he looks progressive over this trip and should still prove hard to beat with Richie McLernon taking over on board.
18:30 Newcastle
The Nigel Tinkler trained BAROSSA (best priced at 11/2) is a model of consistency at Newcastle over 7f with form figures of 2122 in her career and she looks sure to be involved in the finish once again. The four-year-old won by ½ length here in July off a mark of 45 under Faye McManoman before finishing 2nd on her next two starts off marks of 50.
Barossa was only beaten a neck a week ago off this mark of 50 and she gets to run here again off the same mark despite the handicapper raising her 2lbs for that effort. She is well drawn in Stall 7 and looks sure to run well once again with up to four places available.
15:00 Ascot
Saturday 3:00 Ascot- Jarraaf 4/1 (1pt)
English Oak is on a retrieval mission having been disappointing in a listed race last time and I feel the one to beat in this race is JARRAAF (best priced at 4/1). The Owen Burrows trained colt has won his two starts over this course and distance and was an impressive winner at the Shergar Cup last time giving the impression that he was a group horse in a handicap.
The softer ground is a slight question mark in this race but Jarraaf is no doubt the most progressive horse in this field and I feel he can take this step up in class and win with Saffie Osbourne deputising on board.
