Ben Linfoot is back with the best bets for Friday's meetings in the UK.
Friday selections
STAR CHORUS – 1.15 Sandown (NAP)
STAR CHORUS is of interest in the opening bet365 Handicap over five furlongs at Sandown on Friday. The son of Mehmas shed his maiden tag at Southwell last time where the key to him was settling off a strong pace and there should be plenty of speed on here to make this a similar test. He can be keen, but the hood is helping and he’s been gelded now too, while the form of his Southwell win has been boosted by the runner-up, Blinky, who has won twice since. Andrew Balding is in red-hot form and he won this race last year with Equity Law, so it looks significant that he runs Star Chorus from 4lb out of the weights, something he only ever really does when they are fancied.
WHISTLE STOP TOUR – 3.17 Perth
WHISTLE STOP TOUR can prove worth waiting for in the Helen Tudhope Handicap Chase at Perth. Lucinda Russell was aiming him at the Scottish Grand National before he was declared for a novices' handicap chase at the same meeting only to be taken out on account of the ground. This looks a nice spot for him in open handicap company and he can prove himself well treated off 136 after being done no favours by a faller at the first last time out at Cheltenham.
COROLLA POINT – 4.15 Doncaster
Charlie Appleby can strike at Doncaster with COROLLA POINT in the Play At The Races Stableduel Novice Stakes over six furlongs. The son of Blue Point defied greenness to win cosily on debut at Yarmouth from subsequent three-time winner So Darn Hot and that gives him a standout chance on form. That was over five furlongs but another 200 yards looks ideal and he gets the call in what looks a potentially hot race.
GLORY AND FORTUNE – 5.35 Chepstow
Sam Twiston-Davies takes over from a 7lb claimer on GLORY AND FORTUNE and we’re going to find out if he can take advantage of a mark of 128 in the Sun Trade Windows Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow. That’s a rating some 26lb below his hurdles peak and he showed enough at Kempton at Christmas to suggest the old engine remains in good working order. Tom Lacey has a tremendous record at Chepstow at this time of year (an overall course strike-rate of 21% rises to 47% in the month of April) and it would be no surprise if Glory And Fortune bounces back to improve that record further in this.
DEAR RALPHY – 6.47 Fontwell
DEAR RALPHY can extend his good record at Fontwell in the Best Of British Events Handicap Hurdle over 3m2f. The nine-year-old was second and first over the course and distance last May and June, finishing his race really well to attain the victory, and he might just enjoy coming back here over hurdles after a couple of goes over fences on his last two starts. Just 5lb higher than when he last won here, Chad Bament takes 7lb off and he’ll love returning to what essentially looks summer jumping ground.
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2025 winners
- Against The Wind 3/1 (NAP)
- Maelstrom 6/5
- Cruyff Turn 3/1
- Saint Segal 5/1
- Indemnity 11/4
- Greyval 13/2
- A Moments Madness 3/1
- Field Of Gold 10/3
- Treasure Fleet 9/4 (NAP)
- Fever Dream 11/10
- Audacious Annie 6/5
- Pottlerath 4/1
- Party Bear 3/1
- Strong Warrior 8/13 (NAP)
- Capla Lazarus 4/1
- Dorney Lake 5/2
- Detain 5/4 (NAP)
- Jackpot Cash evens
- La Dolce Dolly 5/4 (NAP)
- City Of Delight 13/2 (NAP)
- Godwinson 15/2 (NAP)
- Tuco Salamanca (5/6)
- Siam Park 13/8
- 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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