Horse Racing Tips: Old to strike Gold at Sandown

A busy Friday of jumps and flat action takes place across the UK and Ireland, with seven meetings scheduled throughout the day.

Among our horse racing tips from across the cards is a runner from trainer Andrew Balding, who makes his first start as a three-year-old after a promising two-year-old campaign.

13:20 Sandown - Old Is Gold @ 11/4

OLD IS GOLD made an encouraging start to his two-year-old campaign, finishing third on debut at Ascot behind Military Code of Godolphin, who is now rated 105. The form has worked out strongly, with the runner-up, Fitzella, going on to land the Margaret Stakes.

He then justified the trip to Beverley with a comfortable success which earned him a place at Royal Ascot, where he was disappointing when only eighth as favourite in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

The son of Mehmas bounced back with a much better effort at Goodwood, producing his best RPR to date when third in a strong nursery handicap. His final start as a two-year-old is easy to forgive, as he lost all chance at the break after ducking sharply right and finding himself in the rear.

Wathnan Racing saddle two runners, but with James Doyle aboard, he looks like the stable's first string. Gelded since his last run, he could have more to offer this season and looks well treated off a mark of 87.

14:50 Doncaster - Deported @ 11/4

DEPORTED has more experience than his rivals and can put that to good use to get off the mark at the fifth attempt.

His debut run was highly encouraging at Sandown, where he finished fourth, not beaten far despite a slow start, behind Saba Desert, who went on to win the Superlative Stakes next time, while the runner-up Boiling Over is now rated 93, which further strengthens the form.

He improved again on his next start at Kempton on the all-weather, going down by just a neck to Zennor Storm, who remains unbeaten after following up.

The son of Territories disappointed when only third at Wolverhampton on his final run as a two-year-old, but he shaped with promise on his return when fourth on handicap debut after being gelded.

Racing keenly and meeting traffic issues, he still kept on well late. With that run under his belt and a drop back in trip, he should go close.

17:05 Cork - Tashakour @ 7/4

A good-looking maiden with several of these showing solid form as two-year-olds, the Johnny Murtagh-trained Aga Khan colt TASHAKOUR looks like the one to side with.

He made a good debut at the Curragh when sixth in a hot-looking maiden, with the front three New Zealand, Isaac Newton and Action all now rated over 105.

His next run at the Curragh did not bring the expected step forward, as he finished seventh behind Geryon, but that form has worked out well, with four of the first six home winning since, including Hawk Mountain, who has gone on to win his next three starts, taking out the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

The Night Of Thunder son made a pleasing reappearance on his first start as a three-year-old, travelling strongly throughout and looking the likely winner before being reeled in late on.

He can put his fitness to good use and a return to a better surface should suit him. He looks like a winner in waiting.

Click the link for the latest Horse Racing Odds