Horse Racing Tips: Good Friday for France?

All-weather racing has its day in the sun on Friday, with three meetings taking place across the afternoon. It’s All-Weather Championship day at Newcastle, but there are also very good cards at Lingfield and Chelmsford.

One of my horse racing tips for the day is a John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old who looks to be still progressing.

14:05 Lingfield - Cephalus @ 8/1

Gary and Josh Moore’s CEPHALUS is the epitome of a streaky horse as he has won four times in a row twice, and so after another dry spell his return to the winner’s circle last time could herald more of the same.

He was backed into favouritism that day and supporters never had much to worry about as he always travelled well before getting comfortably on top in the final furlong.

That was a Class 4 over a mile at Southwell, but it wasn’t a bad race, with the runner-up winning next time, and it is notable that the last leg of his 2024 four-timer came on this valuable card.

That was in the mile contest, but the way he won last time and his effort over today’s trip two runs ago makes the trip look well within range.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will be paying 4 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 3. T&Cs Apply.

14:25 Newcastle - Aramis Grey @ 5/1

The trial for this race run over course and distance at the end of February is likely to have a strong bearing on this race, and the ultra-reliable ARAMIS GREY - third in that contest - can come out on top this time.

On her second start for new trainer Jack Jones, the eight-year-old showed herself to be as good as ever when a running-on third under a welter burden behind Quandary and Callianasa, who both reoppose.

She is better off with those two this time, and on a line through Callianasa, she doesn’t have much to find with favourite and last year’s winner Cloud Cover.

Aramis Grey is twice a winner over course and distance, ran well at Doncaster last time and has Rossa Ryan booked, so a big run looks assured.

15:00 Newcastle - Roi De France @ 10/3

As competitive as the prize money and numbers would suggest, this Class 2 over a mile can go the way of the Gosdens with Bjorn Neilsen’s progressive four-year-old ROI DE FRANCE.

The fact that Oisin Murphy retains the ride, when last year’s third Fantastic Fox looks to have a good chance again, is obviously encouraging, and his return at Kempton in March was another positive.

That race came over seven furlongs, and although he was backed into favouritism that day, he could never get to front-running course specialist Mount Athos, who was given a finely-judged ride by James Doyle.

The return to the stiff mile at Newcastle will certainly suit him and, if that run has brought him on at all, he looks set to go close from a good draw.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will be paying 4 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 3. T&Cs Apply.

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