Today’s FREE horse racing tips: York, Newbury, Newmarket, Aintree and Hamilton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Friday, May 18
Steve Mullen guides you through Friday's racing at York, Newmarket, Newbury, Aintree and Hamilton
FRIDAY’S ITV4 RACES
2.20 YORK
NO LIPPY was very impressive when winning the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester last time over this distance. She bounced out of the stalls there and didn’t see another horse until crossing the line.
That was better than any of these rivals have shown to date and you would expect a fair bit more improvement after just two starts.
Strings Of Life created a good impression when quickening away from her rivals to win at Newbury on her debut. She was very green there so there should be a lot more to come.
2.35 NEWBURY
BARON BOLT has been knocking on the door, going down by a neck on his past three runs. He ran well off this mark at Newmarket last time on similar ground and may improve for the outing.
He has touched lucky with the draw here and a repeat of his last run would be good enough. Mazzini has come nicely down the weights and likes this trip.
He could be a danger on this return to turf from the all-weather.
HOLD YOUR BETS Roaring Lion wins the Dante - but he isn't certain to run in the Derby
2.55 YORK
THREADING was an impressive winner on her last visit to this track, winning the Lowther Stakes well in August over 6f. She wasn’t able to repeat that form a couple of times at Newmarket, where the track didn’t seem to suit either time.
She came back from a break when midfield in the Nell Gwyn Stakes last time which should see her spot-on fitness wise. A return to this track should help a lot too.
Sheikha Reika impressed when winning a maiden by three lengths at Newmarket last month. She’s pretty certain to see out this trip and is another open to plenty of improvement.
3.30 YORK
STRADIVARIUS is the class act in the line-up having won the Group 1 Goodwood Cup last season after winning the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.
He showed his liking for this distance when beaten half a length in the St Leger before finishing the campaign behind Order Of St George at Ascot. He goes well fresh and handles any ground.
Max Dynamite was third in the Melbourne Cup over 2m before finishing a solid sixth in the Hong Kong Vase over shorter than today.
His hurdles form was poor this season but he’ll be much happier back on the level.
Steve Mullen's TV Tips
2.20 York - No Lippy: 'Impressed when winning at Chester last time'
2.35 Newbury - Baron Bolt: 'Repeat of his last run would be enough to win'
2.55 York - Threading: 'A return to this track can see her spark back into life'
3.30 York - Stradivarius: 'Clearly the class horse in the field'
4.05 York - Master Carpenter: '2lb lower than when winning this race 12 months ago'
4.05 YORK
MASTER CARPENTER won this race 12 months ago and is 2lb lower in the weights today. He has run well here on other occasions too, including when fourth off a higher mark in October.
He will like this decent ground and should be involved in the finish.
Thundering Blue was beaten less than three lengths over this trip at Epsom last time on his seasonal comeback. He goes off the same mark today but should be fitter for that experience.
Latest in Horse Racing
YORK
2.20 No Lippy
2.55 Threading
3.30 Stradivarius
4.05 Master Carpenter
4.35 Pepita
5.05 Dotted Swiss
5.40 Victory Chime
NEWBURY
1.30 Eyelool
2.00 Fly The Nest
2.35 Baron Bolt
3.05 Sky Marshal
3.40 Nordic Passage
4.15 Coolongolook
4.45 Kings Proctor
5.20 Ashazuri
NEWMARKET
1.40 Marshal Dan
2.10 Onefootinparadise
2.45 Del Parco
3.20 Shanghai Silver
3.55 Amazing Red
4.25 Herculean
4.55 My Target
5.30 Poets Princess
AINTREE
5.35 Pineapple Rush
6.05 Petrou
6.40 Theclockisticking
7.10 Not That Fuisse
7.45 Whos My Jockey
8.20 Ballyalton
8.50 Kootenay River
HAMILTON
5.55 Mr Buttons
6.25 Mutarakez
7.00 Isstoora
7.30 Bolder Bob
8.05 Armed Response
8.35 Logi
9.05 Twentysvnthlancers