Ben Linfoot has the best bets for the surviving meetings this Friday.
Friday selections
INEXPLICABLE – 4.10 Newcastle (NAP)
Antony Brittain’s INEXPLICABLE probably needed the run last time out and he’s taken to come forward from that and win the Weekly Free Bets With BetMGM Extra Classified Stakes at Newcastle on Friday. The son of Dark Angel thrives on his racing but he was left a sitting duck when leading a slow gallop to some race-fit rivals off the back of over 11 weeks off last time in a similar contest. This time last year he won second time back off a similar break and with that recent run under his belt he is taken to repeat the trick.
Saturday selections
ARANTES NASCIMENTO – 15:45 Newcastle (NAP)
ARANTES NASCIMENTO remains relatively lightly raced, particularly on the all-weather, and he is of big interest in the Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap, having very much caught the eye over this course and distance last month.
He opened his account over this course and distance in a nursery from a mark of 69 in October last year and, having been largely below par since, he bounced right back to form last time, arguably unlucky not to have won.
Arantes Nascimento broke well but seemingly his jockey didn’t want to go on, so he dropped in behind the leaders but then got hemmed in on the rail, still on the bridle while those around him were being pushed along, and finishing well once in the clear. He only just failed and, with better luck in running, he’s expected to prove himself well handicapped.
SAINT DAVY – 13:15 Ffos Las
It looks a good renewal of the DragonBet Towton Novices’ Chase which has been diverted from Warwick.
It sees the rematch of Esher Cup Novices’ Chase first and third Handstands and SAINT DAVY. The former came out on top that day, clearly none the worse for his fall on chasing debut at Wincanton, and looking potentially smart, in control jumping the last.
Saint Davy was only four lengths adrift of him, though, and he now meets Handstand’s on 5lb better terms. Saint Davy was a progressive hurdler, reaching a useful level, but he’s all over a chaser on looks, and better his hurdles form at the first time of asking over fences.
He jumped well in the main, just caught out by the downhill fence on both circuits, and that experience is unlikely to be lost on him. The drop to two and a half miles is a slight concern, but he’s entitled to be sharper in every area with that run under his belt, and this open, galloping track is sure to suit.
BROOKLYN NINE NINE – 15:15 Chelmsford
BROOKLYN NINE NINE isn’t the easiest to win with, shaping better than the bare result on numerous occasions, but he bounced right back to form when winning at Southwell three weeks ago, and is of interest in the Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap.
That was his first start for seven weeks kept to the minimum trip and for much of the contest it looked like he’d finish nearer last than first – he traded as big as 200.00 in running on Betfair.
Brooklyn Nine Nine was one of the first to come off the bridle and didn’t appear to be picking up, but in the final furlong he sprouted wings and came home with a storming charge to beat one of the co-favourites.
On that evidence, he is well worth moving back up to this six-furlong trip, while he is also totally unexposed on the all-weather, but his form figures read 161 (he had no luck in running on the middle start). He’s clearly in top form and, from a good draw in stall 5, with a likely strong pace to aim at, he seems sure to launch another bold bid.
MANARA – 18:30 Wolverhampton
MANARA has proved a different proposition since moving into handicaps and is expected to complete a hat-trick in the Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap.
She landed a gamble when opening her account over a mile at Chelmsford in November, and was impressive when following up under a penalty over the extended mile at this course just four days later.
Manara moved through that contest like a filly well ahead of her mark and easily went clear in the final furlong to score readily. She has been freshened up since and, bred to relish this even longer trip, she’s hard to oppose even following an 11lb rise in the weights.
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