Friday Racing Tips: Tiger to roar at Doncaster

Friday is Betfred Oaks day at Epsom but several tasty possibilities are to be found elsewhere across the eight British and Irish meetings. First off is Chepstow, which is joined in the afternoon by Carlisle and Epsom. In the evening, there are meetings from Doncaster, Catterick, Stratford, Down Royal and Tramore.

Amongst our Friday fancies is a long-awaited class-dropper whose pilot will be looking for a timely winner after being jocked off a major Derby fancy.  

Today's Horse Racing Odds

14.50 Carlisle - Back Before Dark @ 9/1

It is unusual for the least exposed horse in the field to also have among the best in terms of relevant experience. That is what BACK BEFORE DARK can claim, as this handicap debutante is well treated based on course form she has already shown.

This filly has a real sprinter's pedigree. She is by Territories, a sire whose most famous progeny is Sprint Cup winner Regional, and her dam is out of a half-sister to former Nunthorpe winner Kingsgate Native.

She made her debut a year ago at Catterick, then built on that experience a month later when landing a maiden over six-furlongs at this track. She had an absence afterwards and when she returned recently at Doncaster, Back Before Dark shaped as though she will prove much fitter for the run.

From a mark of 72, at a track where she is known to be effective, she can do some serious damage. This race is not especially strong, with its in-form sorts coming up from lower grades and those on good marks struggling for form of late. She can show herself to be on a generous handicap mark straight away.

19.45 Doncaster - Tiger Crusade @ 11/2

Less than 24 hours after TIGER CRUSADE runs in this race, his jockey Callum Shepherd will no doubt feel he should be on Derby contender Ambiente Friendly. He can prove a point by guiding this horse to a fifth victory under him.

This will be Tiger Crusade's first ever run in a Class 4 handicap. He has spent a career in higher grades, and drops down today from a Class 2 at Newcastle in which he did best of those who came from off the pace.

Tiger Crusade's handicap mark is much lower on turf, as his all-weather record is stronger. But he is a winner at Doncaster, while he also won off this mark on the grass last summer. That was in a Class 3 0-90, a notably higher grade than this.

With his Newcastle run hinting at him being in form and his strongest partner up top, Tiger Crusade has plenty in his favour for this drop in grade.

19.55 Catterick - Seantrabh @ 11/8

In his career, SEANTRABH has run at six tracks: Ayr, Catterick, Chester, Musselburgh, Thirsk and York. Ayr aside, and even that could be argued, they are all speed tracks. His wins have come at Catterick and Chester, which would be the speediest of the group.

It is easy to infer that he is a horse who thrives when granted the sharpest test possible. For that reason alone, he is interesting on this return to Catterick. But he also comes here having offered promise in higher-class races on his first two runs this year, while edging down the weights.

He is only 2lb higher than when winning in September and Oisin Orr is taking over up top. Seantrabh is likely to be just a bit too good for his rivals here, especially under conditions that suit him so well.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.