Ben Linfoot has the best bets for Friday's racing with the Nap in action at Newbury.
Friday selections
LEAVE OF ABSENCE – 2.30 Newbury (NAP)
LEAVE OF ABSENCE can exploit a mark of 127 now he switches to handicaps in the Focus Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Newbury. Anthony Honeyball’s horse has shown real promise in both chasing starts so far, finishing second to Iberico Lord in a hot little race at Kempton before he was plunged into the Reynoldstown at Ascot last time. That was a tough task but he lost nothing in defeat 24 lengths behind The Changing Man, picking up £17k for the silver medal and keeping his rating as it is. The experience will have done him good and, back at galloping Newbury where he was so impressive in winning his bumper, he can land this handicap pot.
ROUGE DE L’QUEST – 3.40 Ffos Las
Rebecca Curtis’ ROUGE DE L’QUEST likes better ground and he can bounce back at a track he loves in the “West Wales National” Handicap Chase at Ffos Las. The nine-year-old won at this course by 13 lengths last March and he was a head away from going in again a month later over the course and distance on similar going. He was on a roll in the tongue-tie and blinkers combination then and after trying a visor last time he’s back in the ‘tb’ for this assignment under Ben Jones.
SPARTAN TIMES – 4.55 Southwell
Jennie Candlish’s horses are in the groove and she can extend her good recent run with SPARTAN TIMES in the 1m4f apprentice handicap that opens the Southwell card. This four-year-old clearly likes a Tapeta surface and he’s unexposed at the trip, while a tongue-tie is added to his equipment. Warren Fentiman is a great jockey booking in this type of race and, given he is 4 from 7 for the yard, the Spartan Times team probably mean business on Friday.
HEART ABOVE – 5.00 Musselburgh
Dianne Sayer’s HEART ABOVE looks to have been primed for a go at the Racing Post Go North Sea Pigeon Hurdle Series Final at Musselburgh. The seven-year-old finished second in the Kelso qualifier before winning the Musselburgh one and was then put away, avoiding the worst of the deep midwinter ground, before returning after 80 days off back at this track last time. Hampered after four out, he ran on nicely for third and, with the promise of improvement from that effort to come, he looks the one to beat.
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2025 winners
- 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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