Top class racing occurs over jumps and on the flat on Friday. Graded or Group race action takes place at all of Newmarket, Ascot and Punchestown.
GG tipster Joe Napier has scoured all three cards and come up with four best bets for you to follow.
Newmarket Racing Tips (Friday 1 May)
Newmarket’s Guineas meeting kicks off on Friday before the Classics take place this weekend. Our single selection at HQ runs in handicap company in the third race.
2.55 Newmarket – St Anton (1pt win – 11/2)
A third on reappearance may set St Anton up for a first success. The son of Mehmas finished comfortably ahead of the now 83-rated Colourband at Salisbury to conclude last season. The winner that day, Runman followed up with a second success at Epsom this week too. Richard Hannon’s three-year-old re-emerged on the Rowley Mile in April with a strong-finishing third, beaten under a length, off this opening handicap rating of 82. He was slowly away that day, but on two of his other three appearances he has broken on terms. Should he earn a better track position, he looks capable of winning this with a fitness edge against key rivals.
Ascot Racing Tips (Friday 1 May)
Ascot’s meeting on Friday serves as a trial card for some key Royal Ascot races. Our two selections run in the Commonwealth Cup Trial and Paradise Stakes.
3.10 Ascot – Ghost Mode (0.5pt e/w – 18/1)
Wise Approach sets a high standard, with Brussels not far behind. However, the former carries a penalty and the latter will likely need this run, as Ballydoyle runners usually do first time out. A chance further down the betting is worth taking on Ghost Mode. The son of Ghaiyyath was a gradual learner at two. He ran in some strong maidens early in his career though before finally winning decisively at Chester. He then lost by a nose at York in a £100,000 two-year-old contest over 7f. Headed on the line that day, he was dropped back to 6f on return at Southwell. He won convincingly by more than four lengths and may well prove a better three-year-old. With that run under his belt, his fitness is guaranteed too.
3.45 Ascot – Seacruiser (1pt e/w – 12/1)
A strong-finishing third when massively upped in class on just his third start, Seacruiser could be up to this level. Ralph Beckett’s charge got off the mark at the second attempt as a juvenile in 2024 at Newmarket. He then missed 561 days and his entire three-year-old season. However, he returned in a class 3 conditions race at Thirsk against battle-hardened rivals rated up to 113. That was over 7f and he ran on powerfully from the back of the field. He possibly challenged on the wrong side of the track too, but it was a hugely taking effort after such a long layoff and for one so inexperienced. If he does not suffer from the bounce factor, he could prove a horse ready for Listed level.
Punchestown Racing Tips (Friday 1 May)
Day four at Punchestown is blighted by some short-priced favourites. However, our tip looks a value play for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
5.25 Punchestown – Funiculi Funicula (1pt win – 11/2)
Outside of the feature races and bumpers, Punchestown has not gone swimmingly for Willie Mullins. Nevertheless, Funiculi Funicula still has top level potential, having finished placed in Grade 1 company at Aintree last year. That was over hurdles, but he has been more consistent over fences so far. Third on debut at Naas, he was then beaten on the line at Gowran Park. The winner won at Grade 3 level next time out while the fourth was Irish Grand National hero Soldier In Milan. He has since got off the mark with a strong staying finish at Cork over 2m1f. An opening mark of 141 could well prove below him with this 2m4f distance the most suitable for the six-year-old.
GG Tips – Friday 1 May
2.55 Newmarket – St Anton (1pt win – 11/2)
3.10 Ascot – Ghost Mode (0.5pt e/w – 18/1)
3.45 Ascot – Seacruiser (1pt e/w – 12/1)
5.25 Punchestown – Funiculi Funicula (1pt win – 11/2)
Ghost Mode
SeacruiserGG Tips – Friday 1 May
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Newmarket – first race 13:45
- Ascot – first race 14:00
- Punchestown – first race 15:40
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG tips on Friday 1 May, which include selections at Newmarket, Ascot & Punchestown.
When were Friday’s GG tips for Newmarket, Ascot & Punchestown published?
GG’s tips for Friday 1 May were published at 1.30pm on Thursday 30 April.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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