Friday horse racing tips: Classic can Lord over Sandown rivals

While it’s arguably disappointing that several of Friday’s handicaps do not have at least eight runners, there is interesting racing on the channel and my three fancies all ran well last time. Both Haydock picks won’t mind if the ground dries up further.

This improving three-year-old looks to have significant upside now that he is stepped up to this staying trip and can prove best in a field of mainly exposed older handicappers.

Classic Lord didn’t quite get up in defeat against a useful winner at Chester last time, but that was over two furlongs shorter and in a slowly-run affair. A good pace looks assured here and I expect him to be rated higher than 85 by the season’s end.

Rob Hornby is having a good season - largely for Andrew Balding - and both remain in really good form.

Strongbowe was beaten off a 2lb lower mark last time, but a strong pace looks guaranteed in this race and hopefully that will be enough to see him return to winning ways.

Such a small ratings difference is neither here nor there in a sprint handicap and I feel likely pace-setter Lincoln Park might find conditions a bit quick, while Mr Wagyu has charged up the weights and his winning spree ended unceremoniously last time. Both will hopefully help set up a collapsing pace to enable Strongbowe to take them late on.

Strongbowe won’t mind the drying conditions and David Allan knows this horse very well. Trainer Tim Easterby is in excellent form at present.

Ugo Gregory backed up within eight days when hitting form last season and he can follow up his Beverley success here.

The five-year-old may well have enjoyed a charmed run through under Tony Hamilton last time, but this more conventional seven furlongs may suit him better and conditions will be fine. He has a penalty to carry, but is still rated lower than when running well last season and could easily have another win in him now that he has rediscovered his form.

David Allan takes over from Tony Hamilton, but he was on board for both quickfire wins last season.