Racing on Friday comes from Newcastle, Doncaster, Yarmouth and Bangor – with 27 contests scheduled on a busy day of action.
6.53 Newcastle – Last year’s winner Diamond Rain headlines
Last year’s hero, Diamond Rain, spearheads a field of seven for the feature Group 3 Jenningsbet In Delves Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes at Newcastle.
The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old took this prize in good fashion last summer before hitting the frame in a pair of Group 1s. She warmed up for the repeat with a solid third in the Middleton at York and will prove hard to beat under William Buick.
Ed Walker’s Dreamasar arrives bidding for a hat-trick after wins at Salisbury and Haydock. The latter success came in the Listed Hedge Of Oak Stakes and she must be feared as she heads up in grade.
David Menuisier saddles Ashariba and Uluru and both have each-way claims having ran with credit in Listed company at Le Lion D’angers. The James Fanshawe stable are operating at a 27 per cent strike-rate and Sky Safari is their representative here.
11.15 Doncaster – Recent winner Ruby Red Gove faces Zubaru
Ruby Red Grove and Zubaru contest an open The MW Window Systems Handicap at Doncaster.
George Scott saddles Zubaru, who has shown improved form this season – winning on two occasions. He was beaten when favourite at Musselburgh on his previous outing and drops back to six furlongs from this 1lb lower mark.
Ruby Red Gove doubled her career tally when winning comfortably at Pontefract at the start of the month and warrants plenty of respect as she steps up in class under Dylan Hogan.
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Photosynthesis is worthy of a closer look after his third here last time, while Duran is now 5lbs below his last winning mark for Nigel Tinkler. This five-year-old will need to rediscover his spark but performed well when last on Town Moor – being beaten by a neck by Smart Vision.
11.30 Yarmouth – Unexposed Kaori and Ya Karim clash
Unexposed duo Kaori and Ya Karim feature among nine runners for this Winning Experience With Moulton Racing Handicap at Yarmouth.
George Boughey fields Kaori, who ran with promise in a trio of maiden and novice contests before disappointing on her handicap debut at Lingfield. Given she chased home the likes of Inis Mor in her earlier starts, she can be given another chance.
Harry Charlton fields Ya Karim, who ran a race full of potential when third on his first handicap start at Kempton and a 1lb drop in the weights seems fair.
Others to note include Luzon Heights and last-time scorer Gorgeous Mr George, who has been handed a 5lb penalty for that success.
Best of the rest
Doncaster’s 10.15am The British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes sees 2.5m guineas yearling Alpinara headline. This sister to Arc heroine Alpinista was disappointing on debut at Newbury but should fare better returning from a break and stepping up in trip to 12 furlongs.
Sir Mark Prescott fields Mountbatten for Yarmouth’s 10.30am First Furnishings’ Front Runners Handicap, while the 11am British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes sees some interesting debutants go into battle.
Back at Newcastle, Seven Questions and Purosangue go to post for the Gosforth Park Cup at 7.28pm before Crystal Glance headlines the feature contest from Bangor at 7.43pm.
