Free horse racing tips for today: Ascot, Fontwell, Hexham and Wolverhampton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for Friday, October 5
Steve Mullen guides you through Friday's racing at Ascot, Fontwell, Hexham and Wolverhampton
ASCOT
1.50
KACHUMBA looks overpriced after finishing an unlucky fourth in a better race at Newmarket last time out.
She wasn’t helped by a modest draw there and did well to finish within three lengths of the leaders.
The handicapper has left her mark alone and another good run is expected.
Courtside has been running well in similar contests and maybe didn’t quite stay the mile when second at Yarmouth latest. This trip should suit better.
2.25
ORTIZ was an excellent second in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and followed that up with a simple enough win at Kempton last time out.
She’s had long breaks between her races so should be fresh at this late stage of the season. This trip is ideal and there could well be more to come.
Blue Mist has been knocking on the door and enjoyed this trip when a close second at Thirsk last time. He’s another with few miles on the clock.
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3.00
ENCRYPTED went into many a notebook after an excellent second in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster last time.
He got closest to the runaway winner in the big field so a 2lb rise in the weights looks fair enough.
He has good form over this slightly longer trip and he looks capable of improving further.
Tabdeed has not been seen since charging along in the Jersey Stakes here in June. He was collared late on there and it’s a fair drop in class into this handicap.
3.35
GHOSTWATCH ran well to finish second here last time, where the drop back to 1m4f didn’t look in his favour.
He earlier won well over this distance at York in the Melrose Stakes, which is very close to this Listed standard.
There should be a lot more to come at this relatively early stage of his career.
Austrian School keeps running well but finishing second, which is a slight concern.
Mekong relished the soft ground when winning at Haydock last time and would have a big chance if enjoying this better going.
4.10
WHAT A WELCOME can do little wrong at the moment and won well here last time despite the 1m4f trip being on the short side.
He came with a late run there and should be able to bring his stamina into play today. He’s only 4lb higher than that win, which looks more than fair.
Mancini was a good third over course and distance two stars ago before a middling effort at York. He could do better back at a more suitable track.
4.45
CLIFFS OF CAPRI likes it here and was a convincing winner over course and distance in July off 6lb lower in the weights.
After a couple of runs on the all-weather he came back here last time to run an excellent fifth in a big field and this is an easier assignment with a decent amateur on board.
Gallipoli put in his best effort for a while when a close third over this trip at Chelmsford last time and is another to consider.
FONTWELL
2.05 Sensible Friend
2.40 Ennistown
3.15 Sixties Secret
3.50 Cabaret Queen
4.25 Tempestatefloresco
5.00 Waterloo Warrior
HEXHAM
2.15 Mac Tottie
2.50 Theatre Act
3.25 Hillary View
4.00 Surf And Turf
4.35 Jaunty Thor
5.10 Equus Pandora
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.45 Dark Confidant
6.15 Skyva
6.45 Seven For A Pound
7.15 Aurag
7.45 Done Deal
8.15 Havana Breeze
8.45 Hard Taskmaster
9.15 Oskemen