Friday Racing Tips: Heart Wood can go back-to-back

It's a mixed day across the UK and Ireland with six meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening, with three meetings hosting flat racing and three meetings hosting jump racing.

Amongst our Friday fancies is one for trainer Henry De Bromhead, who bids to secure back-to-back Grade 1 victories.

15:30 Aintree - Heart Wood @ 5/4

Henry De Bromhead's gelding, HEART WOOD, was impressive in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival. He bolted up by ten lengths to beat several useful rivals.

This son of Choeur Du Nord has been in rare form all season. In the winter, he won two Grade 2s in Ireland and finished fourth behind the Gold Cup winner, Gaelic Warrior, in the John Durkan. By skipping the Dublin Racing Festival, De Bromhead has ensured his stable star remains fresh for a spring campaign.

The Melling Chase doesn't look as strong as previous renewals, with the absence of two-time winner Jonbon whom Heart Wood comfortably left behind in the Ryanair, and nothing should stop Heart Wood from winning his second Grade 1.

16:25 Thirsk - Mount Athos @ 4/1

Look out for MOUNT ATHOS at Thirsk as James Tate's gelding seeks to achieve back-to-back wins after his recent Kempton victory.

Remarkably, this son of Dark Angel has won each of the renewals of that race for the past four years. The form from that race is working out as the horse who finished last that day has since finished a close second at Musselburgh on his next start.

His trainer doesn't overcomplicate his targets, as he also competed in this race at Thirsk last year, where he finished a close second to Paborus, who was last seen placing in a Group 3 at York.

This renewal does not look as strong as last year's and Tate's gelding, who drops down in grade here, should prove too tough to peg back.

17:15 Aintree - Sherminator @ 11/2

Look out for Harry Fry's gelding, SHERMINATOR, who has been in great form of late and seeks another win at Aintree.

This son of Amaron impressed at Exeter last time, running out a comfortable winner by six lengths. That form has been boosted since, as a couple in behind have won on their next starts, while the horse that finished eighth that day, French Emperor, has since won in a higher grade.

This race is a restricted riders contest, open only to conditional and amateur jockeys and it's eye-catching that leading rider Patrick Mullins is booked to take the ride. He is in excellent form of late and his mount Sherminator looks a likely winner.

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