Steve Ryder's Friday horse racing tips at Haydock and Kempton
3:15 HaydockSee All Odds
Kodi Lion 7/2 (1pt)
Form figures of 99 so far this season are hardly inspiring for supporters of KODI LION (best priced at 7/2) but he should relish this return to Haydock and a return to softer ground. The Mick Appleby trained five-year-old has form figures of 212 at this track and is also versatile with regards to ground having finished 2nd on heavy ground previously off a mark of 85.
Kodi Lion was rated at a high of 92 at the end of last season but has now dropped down to a mark of 84 meaning that he can drop in grade to this Class 4 0-85 handicap. Cieren Fallon, who rides Haydock particularly well, takes over on board for the first time and he looks the one to beat.
4:20 HaydockSee All Odds
Cypriot Diaspora 15/8 (1pt)
The Rod Millman trained CYPRIOT DIASPORA (best priced at 15/8) was an impressive six length winner when last seen and she gets to run here from 7lbs “well in” at the weights. The five-year-old won easily with his trainer attributing her improved performance to the softer surface which was changed to good to soft following the race.
Cypriot also won the last time she encountered soft ground last year when winning comfortably a length off a mark of 68. The handicapper has raised her up to a mark of 70 following her victory but instead she runs under a 5lb penalty meaning she is 7lbs “well in” at the weights and she should prove hard to beat.
6:54 KemptonSee All Odds
Go Rimbaud 9/4 (1pt)
GO RIMBAUD (best priced at 9/4) had shown his best form on the AW prior to a career best performance last time when a nose 2nd at Newmarket. He has form figures of 2211 on the AW including a victory in a maiden over this course and distance.
Go Rimbaud can be excused his run at Glorious Goodwood when drawn wider than ideal and ran well in cheekpieces last time when only narrowly beaten. The handicapper has raised him 2lbs for that effort which is fair and connections now switch headgear to first-time blinkers. He looks sure to run well off top weight.
