David Ord had a couple of Thursday winners including his Nap. Matt Brocklebank returns to preview the Friday racing with a tip for every UK meeting.
Friday selections
SOLAR EDGE - 4.32 Lingfield (NAP)
SOLAR EDGE lacks a recent run but he potentially has a tactical advantage in this field as he's one of just a couple who like to go forward and, importantly, is drawn in two which looks ideal. A ready course-and-distance winner in early-December, he looks worth another chance off the revised (5lb higher) mark having been squeezed out at the start and been left with very little chance when bidding to follow up at Southwell later that month. This 0-70 event also represents a slight drop in class for his comeback run.
TIMETOBENICE - 7.15 Chelmsford
Down To The Kid should go well again from a prominent position but it would be no surprise if he had to settle for second best for the third time in succession, with TIMETOBENICE just looking too well-treated to ignore. Marco Botti's gelding runs off a career-low mark here and caught the eye at Chelmsford last time when making up ground from well off the pace. A return to more prominent tactics (has led in the past) could work the oracle in this event.
Saturday selections
GODWINSON – 3.35 Doncaster (NAP)
A typically open renewal of the Lincoln but I think the one to side with is GODWINSON on his return to action. He went very close to winning on his reappearance in the Spring Cup at Newbury last season, still looking rough around the edges on what was just his fourth career start, but shaping like a well-handicapped horse.
Godwinson built on that promise when winning a useful handicap at Goodwood later in the year, even though he didn’t seem at home on the track, finding plenty in the closing stages and he had Toimy Son and Midnight Gun in behind him on that occasion.
He failed to fire in the Cambridgeshire and Balmoral handicaps on his final two starts, but he wasn’t well positioned in the first race, and for whatever reason he didn’t take to first-time cheekpieces at Ascot. The key to him is being fresh, his two best efforts last season coming off a break, and I think he remains with scope from a mark of 94. He should get a good pace to aim at and he represents a trainer who knows what it takes to win this race.
GOLDEN RULES – 2.05 Kempton
Kamboo is a warm order in this staying handicap, but GOLDEN RULES takes my eye on his return from another absence. He was a relatively cheap purchase out of John & Thady Gosden’s yard a couple of years ago who seemingly isn’t the easiest to train, but he made a winning start for these connections after 638 days off the track over this course and distance two years ago.
Golden Rules was the subject of a gamble in the Northumberland Plate four months later and ran a belter to finish second having done a little too much in the early stages. He has another layoff to overcome now, but he clearly goes well fresh, and he’s just 1lb higher than when impressive at this course on his previous visit – he also represents an in-form yard.
DON’T TELL ROSIE – 3.20 Uttoxeter
DON’T TELL ROSIE has been steadily progressive over hurdles so far and, as expected, she appreciated the step up to this sort of trip on her handicap debut at Taunton last month.
She was ridden more positively than usual on that occasion, taking a keen hold early and having no answer for a more progressive winner in the closing stages. Don't Tell Rosie split a couple of next-time-out winners that day, but the handicapper has left her on the same mark, and there should be even more to come from her representing a yard that remain among the winners.
SIAM PARK 4.15 Stratford
SIAM PARK didn’t manage to win over hurdles, but he is bred to make a better chaser, and he has made an encouraging start in this sphere. He shaped with plenty of encouragement on his chase debut when beaten only by another promising type having his first start over fences and he confirmed that promise when going one place better at Taunton last time.
That was over two miles and he showed plenty of dash, not ideally suited by being challenged for the lead, but he won with more in hand than the official margin suggests, closed down late though he was always holding on.
Siam Park should be able time have an easier time on the front end in this field and he remains a chaser to be positive about following a 5lb rise.
TUCO SALAMANCA – 7.30 Newcastle
TUCO SALAMANCA caught the eye a couple of times last year and he has proved a different proposition since undergoing a breathing operation in recent weeks.
He opened his account after four months off in a seven-furlong maiden at Kempton last month, showing much improved form to win in clear cut fashion and that form has been boosted since.
Tuco Salamanca didn’t need to progress to follow up on his handicap debut over an extended mile at Wolverhampton last time, seeing out the longer trip as expected to narrowly beat another improving type.
A subsequent 3lb rise in the weights likely underestimates him and the return to seven furlongs shouldn’t pose a problem for this strong-travelling type at a course which has a stiff finish.
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2025 winners
- Media Mogul 85/40 (NAP)
- Star Legend 3/1
- Kalium 8/1 (NAP)
- Leave Of Absence 9/4 (NAP)
- Regarde 5/2
- Gemmari 11/4 (NAP)
- Timetoshine 9/4
- Tuco Salamanca 7/4
- Jagwar 3/1 (NAP)
- Penzance 3/1
- Youdecide 15/8
- Pururhandstogether 17/2 (NAP)
- The Organiser 6/5
- Skin Full 13/8
- Millie Supreme 9/2
- Heads Or Harps 11/8
- Party Vibes 7/2
- I See The Sea 2/1
- Le Tiep's Sacre 100/30
- Born In The West 2/1 (NAP)
- Awaythelad 9/2
- Charmaine 2/1 (NAP)
- Henrysbrotherjack 11/8 (NAP)
- Outer Banks 9/1
- Elterwater 5/2
- Glen Buck 10/11 (NAP)
- Teddy Blue 7/2 (NAP)
- Ray Gun 18/5
- Sun Keeper 5/1
- Jackpot Cash 3/1 (NAP)
- Arcadian Nights 100/30
- Leadenhall Street 5/4 (NAP)
- Pic D'Orhy 9/5
- Golden Ace 6/5
- Myretown 5/2 (NAP)
- Apiarist 11/2
- Sainte Doctor 4/1
- Plage De Lavre 5/4
- Aviemore 4/1
- Rey De La Batalla 11/2
- New Found Fame 6/1
- Pilgrims King 5/1
- Saint Anapolino 10/3
- Blue Anthem 5/1
- Buzz Box 5/2
- Dance In The Storm 8/11
- Northern Cracksman 9/4
- Kylian 9/4
- Sol Cayo 2/1
- George's Lad 10/11
- Beauty Generation 15/8
- Komedy Kicks 11/4 (NAP)
- Our Havana 6/1
- Manara 2/1
- Jimmy Knocker 13/2
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