Friday Racing Tips: Time to Shine at Exeter

Warwick's abandoned meeting leaves us with five cards to look forward to across the UK and Ireland on Friday, from the afternoon through to the evening.

First off is Exeter, which is swiftly followed by Sedgefield and Lingfield. Dundalk and Wolverhampton's evening cards complete the day's action.

Amongst our Friday fancies is one for trainer Paul Nicholls, who tries a new trip for the first time and should thrive in the testing conditions.

15:40 Exeter - Take Your Time @ 7/2

A three-time winner over hurdles, Paul Nicholls' TAKE YOUR TIME has made a promising start to his career over fences and has every chance of getting his head in front once again at Exeter on Friday.

The son of Dubai Destination made the perfect start over fences when winning over 3m2f at Newton Abbot on heavy ground back in October. It was a smart performance on seasonal debut, and he clearly possesses plenty of stamina.

Victorious again at Wincanton next time out, he'd clearly improved for the run as he pulled nicely clear to win by 13 lengths. He looked a class above his rivals that day and thrived in the testing conditions once again.

The ground was to blame for a very below-par run last time out, and he was beaten too far out for that to accurately reflect his ability.

Going up to an extended 3m6f and back on heavy ground here, his profile suggests this sort of test will be ideal and further improvement could be on the cards.

16:55 Wolverhampton - The Thames Boatman @ 2/1

Richard Hughes' gelding, THE THAMES BOATMAN, is one of the least exposed candidates in this 5f handicap at Wolverhampton and has the scope to find further improvement.

All three of Richard Hughes' runners in the last fortnight have been there or thereabouts, so now could be a good time to catch The Thames Boatman.

The son of Havana Grey was victorious at Lingfield last time out, and the handicapper has responded with a 4lb rise in the weights. Overcoming a slow start to win that day, there could well be more in the tank.

This horse has a good record on the all-weather, and it would be no surprise if he was to come out on top once again.

17:08 Sedgefield - Quaresome @ 7/2

Handicap debutant QUARESOME certainly could be one to look out for up at Sedgefield as Donald McCain's gelding aims to get back on track.

There was plenty to like about his first three starts over hurdles, and the switch to handicaps can facilitate a return to winning ways.

The son of Parish Hall got off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking at Musselburgh in March. He did particularly well to win that day as he was very keen to post and must have wasted plenty of energy.

Pulling away nicely after the last hurdle to win by over six lengths, he clearly has a decent engine, and it was a promising performance.

McCain's six-year-old was a close-up fourth under a penalty at Newcastle next time and was reported to have bled, which means you can probably mark up that performance.

He didn't get home over 2m4f at Musselburgh last time out, and you can put a line through that effort. The switch to handicap company should help, and 115 looks like a reasonable opening mark. Charlie Maggs takes 7lb off and he's entitled to run a cracker here.

Check out our other Horse Racing Tips here.