RACE PREVIEWS & TIPS (FRIDAY)

16:25 Ascot Unfortunately for punters looking to back each way in this competitive sprint handicap the dreaded “15 runners” await. An equally tricky race to decipher but sadly one less place on offer. Copper Knight was well fancied in a much tougher race at York last time out. Sadly he finished second to last but prior to that he was on a run of credible performances. The likelihood is he’ll put in a much improved effort compared to his last run and will be in the mix once again. Shamshon put in a great effort to win his last race and a three pound rise in weight is very fair. Great course form here at Ascot, including a course and distance win, he’ll be flying home at the death so expect him to pass a tonne of beaten horses late on. Yalta promised a lot as a two year old when winning a five furlong Group 3 race. Sadly he’s not developed that promise further in his second season but hopefully, now that he’s dropped into a less competitive race, he can get back to winning ways. It’s not often that Ryan Moore will ride for Mark Johnston so the booking of one of the best jockeys around is eye-catching. A return to five furlongs should aid the three year olds chances further and we hope to capitalise in what should be a turn around of form. YALTA (WIN)

20:40 Newmarket The final race on the card at “Flat HQ” (Newmarket) sees us tackle a seven furlong handicap. Jockey’s Silvestre De Sousa and Adam Kirby are doing well at the moment and any horse they’re on top of deserve a tonne of respect. Artscape and Bint Dandy do have something in them to pose a threat but even with top jockeys onboard may find one or two just too good. The biggest danger is the unexposed Roger Charlton runner Yellowhammer. He may have only won a maiden but that, on form, looks to have been a decent standard. He won’t need to be a superstar to win a race like this but a lot will be taken on trust as to how well he’s trained since his last outing and although he could be a fantastic horse our selection lies elsewhere. Trainer Mike Murphy is less well known but is just as capable as some of the big guns and sends Titan Goddess into this race off the back of a very credible return to action at Ascot. There’s no doubt she’ll be fitter for that recent race and performed well to finish second on her only start here at Newmarket. A consistent performer who could find her way into the winners enclosure this evening. TITAN GODDESS (WIN) – NAP