Matt Brocklebank is on hand with the best bets across Friday's meetings with the Nap running at Doncaster.
Ffos Las maiden winner FINE INTERVIEW was a non-runner on account of the going at Catterick (officially soft) earlier this month but he's since proven that to be a slightly odd decision with a decisive victory at Pontefract and a valiant effort in second at Catterick just six days ago. Timeform called the ground heavy on both of those recent outings so he's clearly happy enough with dig underfoot (as his pedigree would suggest) and, considering the last run should be marked up as he did much the best of those held up in rear early on, the grey is backed to overcome another 2lb rise in the ratings here.
Nicky Henderson's relatively new recruit In The Air is the obvious one here and he's still well handicapped on old form despite a 5lb rise for his narrow success last time out at Exeter, but SUPPORT ACT looks something of a rising force and he could step forward massively now sent down this route. The Wetherby bumper winner scored as he liked in a two-mile novice hurdle at Doncaster in February and, given he's closely related to a bunch of stayers, he should be well suited to this sort of trip this season. If he's fit enough to do himself justice, a mark of 113 looks perfectly workable and he will give the favourite plenty to think about.
It's already been a fine week for Brian Ellison with Onesmoothoperator winning big money in Australia and HARTUR D'OUDAIRIES could be able to keep the ball rolling for the yard, albeit at a relatively moderate level at Newbury. The son of Kapgarde seems happiest when the mud is flying and he caught the eye running in into sixth over the extended 10 furlongs at York earlier this month. He's a dual winner over hurdles so could be very well suited to this proper test of stamina on the Flat and, off a 2lb lower mark, he's got to be worth an interest while ground conditions are so favourable.
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey are always worth respecting and WIDE MARGIN looks a potential improver for the duo as he goes back up in trip on handicap debut. The recent outing in a seven-furlong Southwell maiden did have the look of a sharpener as he got tired after leading, which was fully expected after a 309-day break, so I'd expect him to be physically tighter on this occasion, and that form looks decent enough with the second and third finishing first and second at Newcastle subsequently. There are several winning milers on the dam's side of the pedigree which suggests the distance will be no issue at all and stall eight might not pose too many problems either if getting away sharply enough and able to pick up a prominent early sit.
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