Dave Nevison's free horse racing tips for Friday

Repertoire was an impressive six-length winner of a race for apprentices at Ascot last week so the fact he is languishing 5lb out of the weights is deceptive. He’s only 5lb higher in the weights plus Saffie Osborne takes off another 3lb.

Repertoire went backwards after he won on his first start since coming over from France to David Simcock’s.

It is to be hoped he just took time to acclimatise to his new yard because he put up a smart return at Ascot and his trainer is in very good form.

He likes to sit and come to challenge off a strong pace, which he will get here. His running style also means a higher draw is not a concern.

The handicapper has been cautious and left Mujtaba on the same mark as when he ran disappointingly in the Lincoln on his reappearance, when 3-1 favourite.

There were no obvious excuses watching the race but he wouldn’t be the first horse to come on significantly for his first run and I am of the same view that he is still a well-handicapped horse.

Glancing back to the end of last season, he was on a real roll winning his last three races in the style of a potential Group class performer.

His trainer, William Haggas, is in excellent form and I have faith in him getting Mujtaba back on track.

Trainer Hugo Palmer is under the spotlight at what is now his local track and will be glad he has already got one on the board at Chester’s big meeting this week.

If he scoops the Chester Cup he will certainly cement the new relationship with his backers and his Rajinsky has plenty in his favour.

He is drawn 1, which is a big plus even over this marathon distance, and was well-backed to score on his reappearance from the revitalised Get Shirty and has only a 3lb penalty for that win.

This race has not been won by a 7lb claimer this century but the booking of this season’s wonderkid, Harry Davies, looks another significant plus as the youngster has been given a real opportunity to keep things simple from the plum draw in a big race.