Dave Nevison's Newmarket tips: best bets for Friday

The Nursery Handicap that Sun God won easily, despite flashing his tail, last season was much stronger than first appeared as the second, third and fourth in that race all won on their next appearance. so it is no surprise that the handicapper took a very positive view of the form by raising Sun God 9lb. 

Hughie Morrison’s charge reappeared in a warm three-year-old event on Guineas weekend and only just got beat, but finished six lengths clear of the third. 

A gelding operation, presumably to quell his wayward tendencies, has kept him off the course since that run, for which he was raised another 5lb, but I believe Sun God could still be well in here. 

On pedigree, and recent evidence, this trip looks ideal for him and being by Fastnet Rock, it is highly likely he will cope with the give underfoot.

His half-sister, Sumo Sam, won a Group Two on heavy ground and also ran several good races at . 

Sean Dylan Bowen is an apprentice on the up and this is a very good ride for him in a big race, while his 3lb claim will definitely count in these conditions. I'm surprised his mount is a general 14-1 chance.

Fairbanks looks the solid option in a race with one or two less than consistent performers involved. Andrew Balding is stepping the four-year-old up in trip here, which looks a very positive move after he was seen staying on really well to finish sixth in the closing stages of the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out. 

He is off the same mark on Friday, and on softer ground, but this is a less competitive event, so I am not at all worried about his rating, and he has run well on ground softer than this in the past. 

I am slightly surprised that Balding is applying blinkers for the first time, rather than the visor, but it can only be regarded as a positive move, so it is very possible that conditions are right for Fairbanks to improve even further now.

Fantasy Master might be worth chancing at an each-way price in this contest as he has been running better than his form figures may suggest recently. 

He didn’t get the best of runs at Sandown last time but his draw in stall 11 might actually help him here, especially as all the pace seems to be drawn nearby. 

Fantasy Master is now 2lb below his last winning mark and has produced many good efforts off a higher mark already this season, and last season, so if he gets the breaks, he should go very well and may reward each-way support. 

He also gets on very well with David Egan and Darryll Holland has his team in very good form, with three winners since the end of June.