Matt Brocklebank is back with his best bets from around the tracks this Friday.
The lightly-raced MT FUGI PARK looks a decent bet in Ayr's staying handicap hurdle. Winner of a novice event at Leicester in January, backing up his Ffos Las maiden success from October, Jonjo O'Neill's charge put a disappointing Haydock effort behind him when staying on for fourth on handicap debut at Newbury late last month. That looked a run he could build on and, with the winner going in again at Cheltenham this week, the six-year-old deserves another chance off the same mark in Scotland on Friday.
Soft ground at Newbury will play to the strengths of GISBURN and, with trainer Richard Hannon seemingly enjoying a decent start to the turf season, he's backed to land the Dubai Duty Free Handicap. Gisburn couldn't get competitive from a midfield position at Newcastle when last seen on New Year's Day but he's better on the turf anyway, especially when there's cut underfoot, and he did won over this course and distance off his current mark of 90 a couple of years ago. Last season showed he still has plenty to offer and he can go well fresh too so this looks a good time to catch him.
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SOLAR SYSTEM really stands out in Fontwell's extended two-mile handicap hurdle. The five-year-old caught the eye when fourth to subsequent dual handicap scorer Doyen Quest on his third qualifying run at Taunton in February and although beaten favourite off this mark of 95 when third back at the same venue last month, there was considerable promise in that effort too. He was a bit keen early on, which seemed to take its toll deep in the race, so the fitting of a hood here makes sense and he can come good under the in-form Ben Jones.
ADAAY IN DEVON proved she'd trained on from two to three with a creditable run in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster and duly took advantage of a drop into handicap company to win readily at Bath earlier this month. She goes back up to Listed level on her return to the same venue and although most of her best form has come with considerable cut in the ground, there should still be enough moisture around (officially good, good to soft in places at time of writing) to be seen at her best. Her obvious race-fitness looks a considerable plus in this company.
HIDALGO DES BORDES can land the novices' handicap chase at Exeter. Warren Greatrex wastes no time in sending his point-to-point recruit straight over fences after qualifying for a handicap mark with three quick hurdles outings since the turn of the year, the last of which gave some encouragement he was getting the hang of racing under Rules. The winner of that race was given a mark of 108 so Hidalgo Des Bordes' opening 88 looks potentially quite generous and he's backed to take to the regulation fences at the first time of asking.
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