Friday's best bets, by Tony Paley
Today's ground will be on the firm side everywhere but the forecast for Saturday is for heavy rain and the going at Ascot is certain to soften if the weathermen are correct.
Auction's (3.45) winning spree came to an end in the Sandringham Handicap at the Royal meeting, but she still ran a cracker from a long way out of the weights and is 4lb better off with the winner Annecdote at Ascot today. She subsequently enjoyed little luck in the Sandown Listed heat won so impressively by Integral, and is expected to reverse the form with runner-up Light Up My Life.
Albasharah (7.30) was strongly fancied to gain compensation for her unfortunate Royal Ascot experience when upped to a mile and a half for the Lancashire Oaks, but she ran too freely there and the application of a hood, combined with reverting to this trip, should help her regain the winning thread at York.
Tipping competiton - final day
Our winners so far this week:
Monday
Someone's Darling 7-4
Dartrix 7-2
Lodgician 5-1
Tuesday
Golden Jubilee 7-2
Men Don't Cry 9-1
Spic 'N Span 14-1
Wednesday
Almaty Express 22-1
Menelik 9-2
Boy The Bell 8-1
Thursday
Tight Fit 11-4
Sonnetation 5-1
Brown Volcano 16-1
This week, our prize is a copy of Bloodline, the latest thriller from the Dick Francis stable, written by the great man's son Felix.
Today we'd like your tips, please, for these races: 3.45 Ascot; 4.50 Ascot and 6.30 York.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers.
For terms and conditions click here.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest today, the final day.
If you have not already joined in this week, you can do so today, but you will start on -12.
Good luck!
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
