Free horse racing tips for TODAY: Sandown, Bangor, Thirsk, Wolverhampton, Hamilton and Newcastle – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for Friday, August 31

SANDOWN

1.40

LI KUI came back to his best when third here last time after finding the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes too much at Royal Ascot.

This is his best distance and he looks open to improvement from what looks a fair handicap mark.

2.10

There was a lot to like about the way GREY GALLEON won at Goodwood last time. He had two lengths in hand and it could have been a lot more.

He drops back from 6f and his stamina will be an asset with a bit of cut in the ground. Thanks to his win being in an apprentices’ race, he’s off the same mark here.

AUSSIE CLASH Benbatl to head down under to take on the mighty Winx in Cox Plate

2.40

ALRAJAA showed some promise on debut here last time despite being very green. The race is already working out very well and he wasn’t asked too many questions in finishing fourth. There should be a lot more to come and should get off the mark here.

3.15

ALMANIA has the benefit of experience over most of his rivals and will come on plenty for his debut at Ascot last month. He was a well-backed favourite that day but looked in dire need of the run and improved as the race went on. You would expect him to take a big stride forward from that here.

3.50

WAFY was a length off the pace in a hot race at Doncaster last time that has worked out well with several future winners. He won on his last visit here and wasn’t disgraced in a couple of Group races since. He has had a break and should come back and find the improvement needed.

4.25

RED STRIKER should be better than a 78-rated handicapper and almost got off the mark on his handicap debut at Nottingham last time. he didn’t get the run of the race and had to settle for a close-up second. Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle today and it wouldn’t take a lot more to score.

5.00

NARJES was impressive when winning at Brighton last time and goes off the same mark as that was an apprentices’ race. She relishes a bit of cut in the ground and the drop back from a mile shouldn’t be a problem. Teenage Gal dug deep to win at Chepstow last time and is another open to lots of improvement.

BANGOR
1.50 Val Mome
2.20 Atlanta Breeze
2.55 Captain Peacock
3.30 King Alfonso
4.05 Atlas
4.40 Karamoko

THIRSK
2.00 Never Do Nothing
2.30 Blue Gardenia
3.05 Kodicat
3.40 Tadaany
4.15 Zebulon
4.45 Dakota Gold
5.15 The Knot Is Tied
5.50 Placebo Effect

WOLVERHAMPTON
3.25 Pivot Bridge
4.00 Amberine
4.30 Anandita
5.05 Self Assessment
5.35 Christmas Knight
6.05 Energia Flavio
6.35 Universal Gleam
7.05 Balaawy

HAMILTON
4.55 Northern Society
5.25 Three Comets
5.55 Allux Boy
6.25 Yes You
6.55 Mukhayyam
7.30 Granite City Doc
8.00 Guardia Svizzera

NEWCASTLE
5.45 Duration
6.15 Stoney Brooke
6.45 Formula One
7.15 Coral Queen
7.45 Zoravan
8.15 Garrus
8.45 Brendan