Horse racing tips: Friday's best bets from Dave Nevison

Narrowing down my tips to handicaps and those shown on Racing TV is usually a good way of honing in on the races I look at for this column. Hopefully I will have a very good hour at Warwick on Friday afternoon and tee myself up for the experts to guide me through the Breeders’ Cup this weekend.

2.30 Warwick: Mercutio Rock

It is hard to imagine Jonjo O’Neill being anything but pleased that this £82k purchase starts life in handicaps off a mark of 110 - and my expectation is that he will end the season much higher.

The issue is whether Mercutio Rock is ready for this after an 11-month break, and the market will be informative given he should be favourite for this. If he isn’t backed I would be concerned, but the stable is in very good form and has already had winners in November. It looks likely he will be primed ready to go well.

Mercutio Rock was not knocked about in two hurdle races last winter and has been found a particularly uncompetitive heat on his return.

3.05 Warwick: Favori De Sivola

He looked to be a promising young chaser and hopefully his wind operation during the summer will set him back on an upward trajectory.

Favori De Sivola certainly seemed to appreciate the switch to fences last term and won his first two modest handicaps in good style, jumping well enough over the stiff Wincanton fences. He then unseated when still well in contention at Hereford in February (rated 2lb higher than his current mark) before disappointing on his final effort.

Both of his wins have come when wearing the same headgear and with David Noonan in the plate and Favori De Sivola certainly merits a look here.

3.35 Warwick: Jarlath

Jarlath is definitely very fit and has a good record at Warwick, winning two chases here and running other good races. Seamus Mullins is also going well, the yard having a winner and two runners-up in the last week.