Racing on Friday 25 August in the UK & Ireland takes place at Ffos Las, Goodwood, Hamilton, Kilbeggan, Killarney, Newmarket and York, with Day 3 of the Ebor Festival taking place at the latter.
One of our fancies comes from the feature race on the Knavesmire – the Nunthorpe Stakes – where last year’s winner can defend her crown.
Friday Racing Tips
1.50 York – Intinso @ 13/2
Intinso scored on his debut at Newcastle (1m) last season on what was his sole start as a two-year-old. John and Thady Gosden opted to send their horse out in a Listed race at Newmarket on his opening appearance of the new campaign, but he pulled far too hard in the opening stages of that race.
The son of Siyouni has settled much better since stepping up in distance. He finished in the frame at Chelmsford in a novice contest over 1m2f, while last time out he was third of 10 runners on his handicap debut at Ascot (1m4f), going down by less than a length despite an awkward start to the race.
The three-year-old sprinter features on the Betfred Betfinder as one of the Most Napped selections this afternoon. The handicapper has put him up just 3lb for his latest near miss and, with more improvement likely, he can land the top prize this time in the opener at York.
3.35 York – Highfield Princess @ 13/8
In what was a fantastic run of form on the track, Highfield Princess dominated the Nunthorpe Stakes 12 months and the mare can defend her crown on her return to this meeting.
John Quinn’s runner has been running consistently well all season, hitting the frame at this course in the Clipper Stakes and the two big sprint races at Royal Ascot. She then stepped up her level to land the King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, scoring by three lengths.
The six-year-old will need to concede weight to the younger horses in this field, but she does benefit from a 3lb weight allowance for fillies and mares.
Should she produce anything near what she is capable of, she can have another major success on the Knavesmire, as she remains one of the leading sprinters in Europe.
6.20 Hamilton – Gather Ye Rosebuds @ EVS
Gather Ye Rosebuds broke her maiden in style at Newbury (1m2f) back in April, scoring by just over nine lengths. She appeared to relish the soft ground at the Berkshire racecourse in the maiden contest.
Jack Channon opted to step his filly up in class on her second career appearance as she featured in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes. Unfortunately for the daughter of Zoffany, she could not challenge in the race won by subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister.
The three-year-old is handed a much easier assignment here on her return to action. She should appreciate this step up in distance and she will be receiving weight from the opposite sex in the race.
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