Horse Racing Tips: Bowen at the double?

Jumps racing holds sway across the UK on Friday afternoon with three meetings taking place, followed by two all-weather cards in the evening.

First off is Exeter, before they go at Leicester and Ayr, while Dundalk and Newcastle host evening meetings. Amongst our Friday horse racing tips is an unexposed sort for in-form pair Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen.

15:10 Exeter - Imaginarium @ 6/1

After a couple of below-par runs in novices at the back-end of last year, Olly Murphy figured out that his useful ex-flat handicapper IMAGINARIUM needs to go right-handed, and he duly bolted up on handicap debut at Huntingdon.

Murphy thinks highly enough of him to have left him in Friday’s Imperial Cup at the five-day stage, but this looks an eminently more winnable assignment on his way to better things.

He was always in command last time against a field of similarly unexposed hurdlers, and a 6lb rise for that only takes his mark to 116. Boasting competitive runs from marks in the 90s on the flat last autumn, there looks to be plenty of wiggle room left.

Although this is a competitive contest, Murphy can enhance his fine 23% record with hurdlers at Exeter in the past five seasons.

15:35 Ayr - Mix De Gris @ 7/2

Lucinda Russell continues to have her string in fine form and MIX DE GRIS, a well-related four-year-old, can get another win on the board for the stable.

Despite having had four runs on the flat, the gelding’s hurdles career has been blighted by a tendency to pull extremely hard, with connections quick to enlist a hood.

This was having little effect until last time when, dropped right out at Newcastle, he finally dropped his head and came home to great effect, finishing right on the heels of the placings.

If he has truly learned to settle he looks to be a well-handicapped horse, and with group-placed flat and 139-rated hurdlers in his immediate family, he could prove a cut above his ordinary opposition.

Place a win single bet on this race, and if your selection wins, we will give you a 10% cash boost on top of your winnings!

17:22 Exeter - All Inn Hand @ 8/1

Champion-elect Bowen can gain another win in the last race on the card, courtesy of ALL INN HAND, who runs for the stable of dad Peter and older brother Mickey.

The five-year-old, daughter of a useful handicapper for the same connections, makes her handicap debut after showing plenty of promise in her qualifying runs.

The form of her hurdling debut when not beaten far in a Stratford maiden hurdle makes her opening mark look very workable, especially as she seems best suited to a decent surface.

Her most recent outing was also very respectable, while also hinting that she will be well suited by the extra half-mile, and she can make it a good day for the Bowens.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will pay 4 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 3.

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