Free racing tips: Ashley Iveson previews Friday's action with Nap and next best selections
Ashley Iveson makes Indigo Girl his best bet of the day at Newmarket on Friday - he has a tip for every race in the UK and Ireland.
Indigo Girl can provide trainer John Gosden with a fifth victory in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
It is 20 years since the master of Clarehaven first landed the Group One prize with Crystal Music, and he has added to his tally subsequently with Playful Act (2004), Nannina (2005) and Rainbow View (2008).
Like the latter, Indigo Girl is owned and bred by George Strawbridge and lines up on the Rowley Mile with a very similar profile, with both fillies having won the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on their previous start.
While Rainbow View had already won the Sweet Solera before striking gold on Town Moor, Indigo Girl had only run once beforehand – winning a Yarmouth maiden less than a fortnight earlier.
It is testament to her latent talent that she belied her inexperience to win a Group Two on just her second outing, and evidence of the faith Gosden has in her that she was even allowed to take her chance.
Further improvement looks almost certain and she is expected to prove very difficult to beat.
Method is fancied to resume winning ways in the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.
Martyn Meade’s juvenile looked every inch a top-class colt in the making in winning his first couple of starts at Doncaster and Newbury, beating a couple of very useful performers in Fev Rover and Mighty Gurkha in the process.
On the strength of that form, the son of Mehmas was well fancied to make a significant impact in the Middle Park a fortnight ago, but raced too freely, causing his saddle to slip and effectively costing him all chance.
Meade has admitted this drop to five furlongs might not be ideal, but with the ground likely to be on the soft side, his class might just see him through.
Irish raider Thinking Of You catches the eye in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes.
A winner on her Limerick debut, Joseph O’Brien’s juvenile was last seen finishing third in the Group Three Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, when she was doing her best work at the finish.
A stiff seven furlongs on soft ground at Newmarket should suit the daughter of American Pharoah and further progress is expected.
A chance is taken on Zakouski in the Group Two Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes.
Charlie Appleby’s inmate has not been seen in competitive action since sealing a second win at the Dubai Carnival at Meydan in February, but his capable trainer would hardly be bringing him back at this late stage of the season half-baked.
Soft ground is an unknown, but Zakouski will be fresher than most of his rivals and remains unexposed after just four career outings.
Logician is the undoubted star attraction at York as he lines up for the rescheduled Betsafe Cumberland Lodge Stakes.
Last year’s St Leger winner made a late comeback this term due to suffering a life-threatening illness, but comfortably dispatched of his only rival at Doncaster last month.
He was due to run in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot last Saturday before the meeting was abandoned due to a waterlogged track.
Switching the race to the Knavesmire could even be a help to Logician as he will encounter less demanding conditions than he would have last weekend and he has already won a Great Voltigeur Stakes over the course and distance.
Strawberry Rock is of significant interest in the one-mile-six-furlong Betsafe Handicap.
Hugo Palmer’s inmate bolted up on his Beverley debut in June, before finishing a close-up third on the all-weather at Kempton.
The gelded son of Rock Of Gibraltar looked a good thing to exploit an opening mark of 80 on his handicap debut at Ripon a couple of weeks ago and duly obliged with relative ease – earning him an 8lb rise for his troubles.
His latest assignment represents a step up in grade, but he has scope for further progress as he also steps up in distance.
Many view Chepstow’s meeting as the start of the jumps season proper, with the Grade Two Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle the feature event on the first of two days of cracking action in Monmouthshire.
While his fitness has to be taken on trust, it is difficult to look beyond the Paul Nicholls-trained McFabulous, who was a high-class bumper performer and got his act together over hurdles with an impressive handicap win in a valuable race at Kempton when last seen in March.
On the all-weather at Kempton, Last Surprise can complete a hat-trick for Simon and Ed Crisford in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap.
Sporting Life tips
CHEPSTOW: 2.10 Goobinator, 2.45 Born In Borris, 3.15 McFabulous, 3.50 Bebraveforglory, 4.25 Bravemansgame, 4.55 Theatre Guide, 5.25 Red River, 5.55 Massini’s Dream.
DOWNPATRICK: 1.45 Captain Mc, 2.17 Blue Markie, 2.52 Watch Guard, 3.25 Beacon Edge, 4.00 Knot On Time, 4.35 Court Adjourned, 5.10 The Count.
DUNDALK: 5.00 Hale Bopp, 5.30 Buzz Of New York, 6.00 Defilade, 6.30 Shawaf, 7.00 Ice Cold In Alex, 7.30 Psyche, 8.00 Getgo, 8.30 Construct.
KEMPTON: 3.55 Hellavapace, 4.30 Valley Of Flowers, 5.05 Razor Glass, 5.40 Thapa Vc, 6.15 Pepinillo, 6.45 Last Surprise, 7.15 Strong Power, 7.45 Midrarr, 8.15 Go Bob Go.
NEWMARKET: 12.45 Divine Light, 1.15 Nebulosa, 1.50 Method, 2.25 Thinking Of You, 3.00 Zakouski, 3.35 INDIGO GIRL (NAP), 4.10 Luncies, 4.45 Majestic Noor.
YORK: 1.00 Dark Illusion, 1.35 Logician, 2.05 Scottish Summit, 2.40 Strawberry Rock, 3.10 Rose All Day, 3.45 Arecibo, 4.20 Orgetorix, 4.50 Entrancing.
DOUBLE: Method and Indigo Girl.
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