Friday Horse Racing Betting Tips, Prediction, NAP, Odds

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Friday Horse Racing Betting Tips

1:25 Huntingdon Tips

2m (1m7f171y) Pertemps Network Maiden Hurdle (Novices' Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4yo+) 

Rayapour – 1pt Win - 5/2 (General) 

My first selection of the day is Rayapour in the 1:25 Huntingdon. 

I have always had so much hope for this horse and it has just never happened for him, he has had such a bad run of luck and I’m hoping he can get a clear run now. 

I received word that connections thought an awful lot of this horse and I backed him for the 2020 Triumph but he had setbacks and missed the race. I then backed him for the 2021 Ballymore and he had further setbacks and missed the race… 

They continue to persist with this horse and he now returns to the track for the first time since the summer of 2021. 

I find it interesting that despite all of his issues, that connections have given him an entry in the Supreme and Ballymore this year. To me, that suggests that he is still showing signs of retaining all of the ability that he once had. 

If he does, then I think he would be well up to winning a Maiden Hurdle. It is hard to know what he is up against today as he is taking on horses unraced over hurdles but he has the best flat form on show and those who have ran over hurdles, do not look anything special. 

I think he might be more of a Ballymore type (available at 100/1 and I would not put you off a couple of quid!) than Supreme so he might find this trip a bit sharp and he might also want the run for fitness but if he is anywhere near what they hoped he could be, I’d like to think he would be too classy here and he’d be beating these even if he was 80%.  

2:40 Doncaster Tips

2m½f (2m128y) Sky Bet Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo) 

Greyval – 1pt Win – 7/2 (General)  

My second selection today is Greyval in the 2:40 Doncaster. 

This horse travelled very strongly on his debut and looked an easy winner 2 out. However, he swerved right and got headed on the run-in. He then found more but it was too late. 

I think there were a couple of issues there, I think Paddy perhaps hit the front too soon and the horse also showed his inexperience when he hit the front as well. 

Before swerving, he was travelling better than Arclight and the jockey of Arclight also asked far more questions of his horse on the day. He has gone on to win again and certainly sets the standard on form. However, connections of Greyval think she is a smart one and are pretty optimistic that she can turn the form around today. 

If Paddy can get her settled and gives her a more patient ride, I think she could well do it! At the prices, I’m happy to side with her rather than Arclight who opened odds on.  

3:00 Huntingdon Tips

2m4f (2m3f189y) Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares' Chase (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)  

Zambella – 2pt Win – 5/4 (General)  

My third selection is Zambella in the Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon. 

Unfortunately the price has gone on her through last night and this morning, as she opened at 7/4 but now sits at 5/4. 

Zambella looks to have continued her improvement as she is looking even better than last year in her runs to date this season. 

It is interesting that Jeremy’s Flame has come over for Gavin Cromwell, as he doesn’t usually send them over for a holiday. However, that mare has always put her best performances in over 2m rather than 2m4f. Therefore over this trip, I’d be happy to take her on. 

Tweed Skirt and Found On are nice, progressive Mares but neither have shown form to a level that would concern Zambella today. They could find further improvement again but I’m happy to take them on too. 

did manage to finish in front of Zambella at the Festival but I think that form could flatter her. Zambella was very keen that day and she was not helped by Maid O’Malley taking her on for the lead. She has not run to that level again in her run’s this season, whereas Zambella has progressed further, so she’s another I’m happy to take on.  

Finally, I cannot see Royale Margaux getting involved on British debut, even with an age allowance. 

I think this race looks a nice stepping stone for Zambella to pick up on her way to the Mares’ Chase and interestingly William Hill are offering a 20/1 special on her to win today and to win at the festival, I’ve had a small bet on that today as well and I wouldn’t put anybody off either. I think she can win this today and set her stall out for the festival in the process.  

3:35 Huntingdon Tips

3m1f (3m1f10y) Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) 

Itchy Feet – 0.5pt Each Way – 11/1 (Bet365, 4 places) 

My final selection is a bit of a wildcard and it is Itchy Feet in the 3:35 Huntingdon.  

This horse has been very disappointing in the last 12 months but I think this is largely due to his hatred of fences, he really does not seem to enjoy jumping them. 

If you go back through his form though, he has some rock-solid form that shows he has an engine in him.  

In his early days he won a Listed Hurdle, he was second in a Grade 2 Supreme Trial and even ran 3 in the Surpeme itself.  

The following season he landed the Grade 1 Scilly Iles at Sandown but unseated at the Cheltenham Festival. At the back end of that year he had three further runs and had form of 322 in two Grade 2s and a decent Class 2 won by Dashel Drasher. 

Despite not looking a natural over fences, he continued to gain respectable form including seconds and thirds in races such as The Melling Chase, the Old Roan Chase and he even chased home Bravemansgame at Haydock. 

His form has really tailed off since, seeing his mark fall from 155 down to 142. His Hurdle mark is even lower at 138. 

He gets in this race off top weight and if a return to Hurdles can spark him back to life, he would be far too good for this field, even giving the weight away.  

At 11/1, I’m happy to take a chance on him.