The Punting Pointers team have started July with a bang and Rory Delargy brings us their Friday selections.
Racing betting tips: Friday July 3
1pt win War Howl in the 14:35 Doncaster at 17/2 (General) – min 7/1
1pt win Emerald Harmony in the 15:10 Doncaster at 5/1 (General) – min 9/2
14:35 Doncaster – Class 5 (0-70) Handicap 7f213y
The ground will be quick at Doncaster on Friday and that will suit WAR HOWL in this mile handicap, with Ben Haslam’s charge expected to bounce back from a series of down-the-field runs since joining the stable from that of Mick Appleby. There was little to cheer about in his early runs this season, but despite again being well held at Wetherby last time, I spied a lot more promise in his effort and he was not at all knocked about to make late headway after a slow start. In truth, he looked well beaten before halfway at Wetherby and rider Andrew Mullen still sat quietly when he was a detached last entering the home straight. He never threatened from that point but passed a few late on under his own steam and seemed – to my eye at least – to finish full of running.
Such late headway is often misleading, with horses unable to go the early pace able to stay on past those who have done so only to tire badly, but the pace at Wetherby was modest at best and those in front of him were not stopping, which makes me take some encouragement from the run. On top of that, the four-year-old son of Bated Breath has dropped to a lenient mark based on last summer’s form when he won better handicaps here and at Ascot over seven furlongs before running arguably his best race when runner-up over a mile at Newbury behind Herculeus from a mark of 80. The third that day, who was beaten 4¼ lengths, won next time and the form is solid, making War Howl potentially thrown in having dropped 11lb to his current rating of 69. It’s possible that he has permanently lost his way, but he took the eye in the paddock last time as well as in the race, and I’m inclined to believe new connections have been waiting for the opportunity to get him in a 0-70 before pressing the button. Doncaster should suit him well, and while some guesswork is required to support him, his profile is a very tempting one from my perspective.
15:10 Doncaster – Class 3 (0-90) Handicap 5f3y
EMERALD HARMONY took a few runs to click after joining Paul Midgley but she put it all together at Thirsk last time and looks sure to appreciate the stiffer track at Doncaster having typically done her best work at the finish in her races over this trip. Formerly with Johnny Murtagh, she gained both Irish wins on good or faster turf and again showed her liking for a sound surface and strong pace when running down the speedy Beaumadier (ran well at Nottingham on Thursday) at Thirsk. She’s been raised 4lb for that but is merely back to the mark that she started the season on and is expected to continue in form as long as the weather stays in her favour.
Preview posted 09:40 BST on 03/07/26
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