Dave Nevison: My horse racing tips for Friday

1.00 Kelso: Travail D’Orfevre

A rating of 102 looks a generous opening mark for handicaps for this one.

Travail D’Orfevre has run himself into peak fitness while his yard was coming into form and he looked good last time over two miles at this track. He clearly needs further and got noticeably outpaced in that contest before staying on very well after the last.

This is quite a big step up in trip for his handicap debut but I feel he could improve greatly.

Travail D'Orfevre won his bumper under this jockey and the very much in-form Nick Alexander is sticking with the six-year-old over hurdles. Things look set to click soon judging by his latest effort.

7.45 Southwell: Maharashtra

He's a six-year-old but one who could still be improving, despite defeat last time in his hat trick attempt.

Maharashtra has certainly enjoyed the new track at Southwell for his two wins over this trip and his latest effort can be upgraded in my view after coming up against an in-form improver from Rebecca Menzies yard who stayed the extra furlong stronger than he did in a well-run race. That was a good effort.

Maharashtra has only gone up 2lb in the weights and looks as though he will be able to slot in from his draw just behind the pace. Over this trip, he will stay on strongly.