Horse Racing Tips: The Foxes can strike at Chester

There’s plenty of racing to get stuck into this Friday, with a total of eight meetings taking place. There’s something for everyone with five flat meetings taking place at Ascot, Chester, Ballinrobe Nottingham and Ripon.

We have three selections to back on Friday afternoon.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

13:50 Ascot - Columnist @ 16/1

Richard Fahey’s charge, COLUMNIST, was a Group-level performer as a juvenile, showing plenty of promise even though a win ultimately eluded him.

He came agonisingly close in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he finished a strong third, just half a length behind the winner in what looked a high-quality renewal.

His only previous attempt at this seven-furlong trip also saw him run well to finish fourth, shaping as though it would suit him in time.

Since that campaign, Columnist has been gelded, a move that often helps sharpen focus, and connections have made the interesting decision to start him off in handicap company.

That could prove a canny piece of placement. He begins the new season on a mark of just 103, which looks workable based on his juvenile form, and if he’s strengthened up over the winter and finds a little natural improvement, there’s every chance he’s a few pounds better than that.

Columnist is an intriguing contender with scope to progress as a three-year-old.

14:35 Chester - The Foxes @ 11/8

THE FOXES returns to the UK following two trips abroad, where, although he didn’t get his head in front, he acquitted himself admirably in some of the most valuable and competitive races on the global stage.

He finished fourth behind Romantic Warrior and then chased home Rebel’s Romance, both of whom are established Group 1 stars with formidable international form.

His latest outing in Qatar came just 82 days ago, giving him a fitness edge over several of his rivals who reappear from longer breaks.

The progress he’s made over the past 12 months has been significant, and this looks like a well-chosen starting point for a campaign that could see him tackle even bigger prizes as the season unfolds. Connections will be hopeful he can make a statement here in this Group 2.

16:23 Market Rasen - Willaston @ 15/2

It would be no surprise to see WILLASTON follow up on his win at Carlisle last time out. The nine-year-old spent much of the autumn seeing his mark steadily fall. He’s never been a horse that thrives in testing National Hunt conditions, all of his wins have come on quicker ground and typically around the start or end of the season.

His mark dropped from 127 to 119, and with it being a tight finish at Catterick, he’s only gone up 2lb for that win. He’s previously won off 123 and 126, and when he hits form, he tends to hold it for a while.

This looks like a slightly tougher race on paper, but it’s one he’s more than capable of winning.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.