Newmarket Tips: Course specialist Ararat can get back on track

There’s plenty happening on Friday, with no fewer than seven meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland. I'm going to take a closer look at Newmarket’s evening meeting (17:43-20:28), which takes place on the July Course with the ground expected to be ‘good to firm’.

My Newmarket tips for Friday include one for trainer David Simcock that looks more than ready for a return to the winners’ enclosure.

Today's Horse Races

18:18 – Ararat @ 10/3

Whilst David O’Meara’s in-form runner Al Muqdad is likely to be the popular choice, he could be worth taking on with David Simcock’s ARARAT. He won both times here and on the Rowley mile over 7f as a three-year-old, and the latter of the two was a particularly dominant success off 77 in September.

It’s easy to forgive his very below-par effort over course and distance on seasonal debut, as he clearly needed the run and that was proved by his much better display when second off his current mark a week later.

Only failing to finish outside of the first three once in four starts on the July Course, he’s clearly a fan of the track and 7f appears to be his specialty. This race looks slightly weaker than his last assignment and it would be a surprise if he fails to make the frame.

19:58 – King Of Scotia @ 5/2

Jamie Osborne’s KING OF SCOTIA was less than two lengths behind St Leger winner Continuous on his debut and he looks capable of claiming the spoils here.

He gained his first victory for this yard off a mark of 66 at Brighton back in June and was successful again in fine style at Lingfield last time out. Strong at the finish that day despite racing keenly, he pulled clear to win by a comfortable margin.

The son of Kessaar is likely to be up with the pace once again and could prove hard to catch under a 5lb penalty. It’s worth noting that the handicapper has given him a 6lb rise which means he’s 1lb in under today’s conditions and he can take full advantage.

20:28 – Dancingwithmyself @ 11/2

Dancingwithmyself shaped as if she would be a middle-distance type in two starts as a two-year-old, winning the second of those in good style at Chelmsford over a mile. That effort has been boosted further with two of her five rivals that day winning since.

Michael Bell’s filly took a couple of starts in handicap company to get the hang of things and she was undoubtedly suited by the step up to 1m2f when winning easily at Ripon last time out. A 4lb rise appears to be pretty lenient on the evidence of that performance and it’s unlikely to cause an inconvenience.

Trying 1m4f for the first time here, we haven’t seen the best of this filly yet and further improvement is anticipated.

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