Horse racing tips: Friday picks from Dave Nevison
Our resident website tipster Dave Nevison thinks three will go close on the Flat at Thirsk and Haydock on a bumper day of action. Join us for further coverage from Goodwood, Market Rasen, Fairyhouse and Clonmel live on Racing TV.
1.40 Thirsk: Storm Fox
This well-bred type has perhaps not been as precocious as the speedy pedigree might suggest but she looks ready to break her maiden in this modest handicap.
Storm Fox has done most of her racing on ground on the softer side of good - and including very heavy conditions - and it seems very likely that doesn’t suit her ideally. On genuine good ground last time and in a slightly higher-grade handicap she was backed into 9-4 favourite and ran her best race to date by far, getting beaten just a neck at Redcar.
She wears cheekpieces for the first time here and that looks a statement of intent.
3.40 Thirsk: Laakhof
Turned out quickly and off the same mark after winning at Musselburgh last Saturday, he must surely complete the hat-trick on a track that very much favours pace-setting sprinters.
Declan Carroll clearly picked up a very well-handicapped horse from Dermot Weld and has placed him to take quick advantage of his basement mark. He made all to win by 2 ½ lengths last time and will find things much tougher from next week, but there doesn’t look to be much in this field to put him under pressure.
6.10 Haydock: Unplugged
He seemed to bounce after he won after a very long absence on his return last season, but provided he doesn’t do the same this time around should win this.
Unplugged proved that he stayed this trip well on his reappearance at Pontefract when going down by a nose and he definitely looked unlucky not to win having failed to get a clear run.
Serena Brotherton is still very much a force riding in these amateur-only events and the rider looks a strong booking here, while a decent pace can be relied upon which will suit this lightly-raced seven-year-old.
