Our racing editor has assessed the chances of seven favourites across Friday’s competitive cards – labelling them either a ‘banker’ or ‘blowout’. Check out their thoughts on each market leader below, alongside Sky Bet‘s new customer offer of Bet £5 Get £20 In Free Bets.
KNICKERBOCKERGLORY – 1:30 Perth
Didn’t show much in two opening starts over hurdles including when finishing last in Listed company at Haydock back in November. Given a short break following that defeat, the six-year-old returned at the start year and strode to an effortless success at Taunton in January by 15l. Disappointing on his penultimate start in handicap company at Wincanton, Dan Skelton’s charge returned to winning ways at Ludlow in novice company, making all in taking fashion to justify odds-on favouritism by a whopping 17l.
Verdict: Double penalty to carry, but is likely to get his own way at the head of affairs and can enhance his trainer’s impressive strike rate at the track (34%). BANKER
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PLATINUMCARD – 2:05 Perth
Useful flat performer when trained by Keith Dalgleish and made a successful start for trainer Gordon Elliot at the start of the month at Ayr’s Scottish National meeting. Far from fluent over his obstacles on that occasion, the seven-year-old made headway turning for home before quickening away from his rivals after the final flight to run out a comfortable winner off a mark of 104.
Verdict: Thrown in on the pick of his flat form and a 7lb rise in the weights doesn’t look enough of a burden to prevent another success. BANKER
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MOSTAHDAF – 2:25 Sandown
Enjoyed a productive and progressive year for connections last season, completing a hat-trick in Listed company at Sandown back in May before being pitched into the deep end against Group 1 opposition in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Returned from a 92-day break and landed his second victory at Listed level back at Sandown before rounding off his three-year-old season in terrific style with victory in the Group 3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket, defeating Cambridgeshire winner Bedouin’s Story in the process.
Verdict: Must concede 3lb to his two rivals on seasonal return but is expected to take higher rank this season and will be tough to beat on seasonal return. BANKER
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RIZG – 2:50 Doncaster
Created a favourable impression when making a winning debut over 6f at Yarmouth last August. Settled in midfield, the bay colt made stylish headway in between rivals approaching the final furlong before quickening up well under jockey Hollie Doyle to win by half a length.
Verdict: Leading yard has started this season in fine form, however, the three-year-old has to defy a lengthy absence and faces a pair of recent winners in the shape of Chiellini and Lethal Nymph. BLOWOUT
ALCOHOL FREE – 3:00 Sandown
Very smart as a two-year-old who started her three-year-old career in a similar fashion, winning on seasonal return in Group 3 company at Newbury before going on to land a pair of Group 1 victories in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, and against the boys in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, impressively defeating 2000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare. However, failed to scale those sorts of heights on her final two starts at York and Ascot when finishing down the field in the Juddmonte and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Verdict: Application of hood for seasonal return is a slight concern, but she brings solid Group 1 form to the table on seasonal return and is difficult to oppose. BANKER
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GOLDSPUR – 3:35 Sandown
Sets a tall standard on seasonal return after an impressive juvenile campaign last year for top connections. Recorded a smart performance on debut at Sandown, winning by six and a half lengths in the manner of an above-average individual. Followed up in Group 3 company when stepped up to ten furlongs in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket before rounding off his first season with a creditable third against Group 1 opposition over in Saint-Cloud.
Verdict: Yard are flying at present, however, unbeaten pair Cash and River Thames could give him plenty to think about and is probably worth taking on. BLOWOUT
EQUALITY – 4:00 Doncaster
Scored in decisive style on his third start at Wolverhampton last season but proved to be a frustrating sort for connections following that triumph. Finished down the field in a pair of valuable handicaps at Ascot and Newmarket and was certainly far from convincing in his final three starts of the season, hanging under pressure and displaying clear temperament issues. However, looked like a reformed character when making a winning return as a four-year-old at Windsor earlier this month, travelling all over his nine rivals before being nudged out to an effortless success by just under five lengths.
Verdict: Officially 7lb well in on ratings following that Windsor victory, but is hardly one for maximum faith at such a short price and is far from a rock-solid proposition. BLOWOUT
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