Horse Racing Tips: Elarak primed for Newmarket success

Flat racing holds sway across the UK and Ireland on Friday with seven meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

First off is Beverley before they go at Dundalk, Epsom, Yarmouth and Newbury in the afternoon before heading off to Tramore, Newmarket and Thirsk. Amongst our Friday fancies is a filly for Charlie Clover who has some solid group form to her name.

16:35 Yarmouth - Koge @ 10/1

Some nice types line up in this confined novice stakes at Yarmouth, with Divine Knight dropping in class after his run at the Goodwood Festival, but he looks vulnerable giving weight all round.

Snow Master was impressive on debut at this track last year, though has a lengthy absence to overcome, so it could be worth taking a chance on Jane Chapple-Hyam’s two-year-old colt, Koge.

Well backed on debut, he clearly had been showing promise at home, but could only manage sixth at Chelmsford, racing too keenly to do himself justice.

He has been gelded since, which may help him settle, and improvement looks likely on this second start. His dam was a Listed winner over this trip, and connections clearly hold him in some regard.

With natural progression expected, Koge could leave his debut effort well behind.

16:45 Newbury - Flowerhead @ 15/8

We head to Newbury for the race of the day, a Listed contest for fillies, and Charlie Clover’s talented two-year-old Flowerhead catches the eye.

She boasts some serious form since getting off the mark at the second time of asking at Chepstow, most notably when a cracking second at 100/1 in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.

That race is working out extremely well, with several runners winning next time out, including the winner, True Love, who has since added a Group 2 to her tally.

Flowerhead’s latest run, her first attempt at 6f, came in another Group 2 at Ascot, where she finished a creditable fifth behind Fitzella, beaten just over two lengths. That performance further solidified her credentials at this level.

With a drop back to the minimum trip and a drop in class looking like positive moves, and holding by far the best form in the race, Flowerhead should prove tough to beat.

19:00 Newmarket - Elarak @ 9/4

This looks like a competitive handicap at Newmarket, and Charlie Hills’ unexposed three-year-old colt Elarak could be the answer.

Elarak has an appealing profile, having won two of his four starts, including a victory on his second outing at Lingfield, followed by an impressive triumph over course and distance when stepped up in trip. He scored by over five lengths that day and looked very much a horse to follow.

Upped to Listed level at the July meeting at Newmarket, he struggled to land a blow and finished last in a race won by the smart Opera Ballo.

The son of Kingman is surely better than he showed there, and his dam was a three-time Group 3 winner, suggesting there's more to come. He looks the type to bounce back and continue progressing, so he's worth considering on this first try in handicap company.

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