Horse racing tips for Newmarket: Friday’s best bets

Racing TV's Harry Allwood makes a case for four selections on day one of the Dubai Future Champions Festival at Newmarket on Friday. Enjoy all the action live on Racing TV and Racing TV Extra!

It was hard not to be impressed with the way this filly won a Listed race at Newbury two starts ago given she had to wait for room at a crucial stage, and was forced to challenge wide.

Once she hit top gear there, she rattled home plus was by far the quickest inside the final furlong, and was certainly value for more than the winning margin suggests.

She had previously created a strong impression on debut having been purchased for 210,000gns by connections at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sales and although she failed to sparkle in the Dick Poole Stakes when last seen, she had comfortably beaten the winner, Juniper Berries, at Newbury.

I think it is best to forgive Miaharris' latest effort as she relished the cut in the ground at Newbury, and probably found conditions a shade too quick at Salisbury where she had the widest draw.

The return to easier ground on Friday will be ideal, especially as she is likely to be suited better over six furlongs in time, and if she returns to the form of her Newbury success, she has each-way claims here.

Skellet went into plenty of Racing TV Trackers after staying on in eye-catching style to finish a close fourth on debut (when sent off the well-backed favourite), and the Kingman filly unsurprisingly built on that promise when winning a class 2 maiden with a bit to spare at Salisbury next time out.

The runner-up has since franked the form of Skellet's latest effort by winning with ease at Newbury, and the pair pulled nicely clear of the third.

The selection, who has a beautiful pedigree, is also a half-sister to Moyglare Stud winner Skitter Skatter, and Listed winner Victory Dance, plus has been purchased by Juddmonte since her latest success, which certainly isn't a negative!

Give underfoot does raise a slight question mark here, but her sire handled soft ground, and her dam won both of her starts on good to yielding, so conditions are not a huge concern.

Ralph Beckett remains in fine form having operated at a strike-rate of 26 per cent in the past fortnight, and his filly is likely to take all the beating with Ryan Moore aboard.

A competitive contest on paper, but Alsakib relished the step up to this trip when staying on strongly to win a valuable handicap at Ascot last time out, and a 9lb rise may not be enough to stop him scoring again.

After winning back-to-back novice stakes, Andrew Balding's charge caught the eye at Goodwood when staying on to finish a never-nearer third behind Royal Rhyme (who won at Listed level next time out) at Goodwood over ten furlongs, and appeared in need of this trip.

That proved to be the case at Ascot where he travelled powerfully before finding plenty under pressure in the closing stages to score with a bit to spare, and defeated some useful handicappers in the process.

The son of Kingman is clearly on an upward trajectory and his pedigree is littered with Group-class performers, which I think Alsakib will develop into eventually. He was also one of Andrew Balding's horses to follow this season, and is already proven with cut in the ground, so there's lots to like.

Angus McNae analyses Shuwari's effort in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket

This doesn't appear to be the strongest renewal of the Group One bet365 Fillies' Mile, and while Shuwari is not the highest rated contender in the field, she arguably has the best form next to her name.

Ollie Sangster's youngster got off the mark in style at Newbury in June before showing a good attitude, despite displaying signs of greenness, to win a Listed race at Sandown where she defeated Fallen Angel, who has since won the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

Shuwari travelled like the best horse in that contest, and proved there that she handles soft ground. She also received glowing praise from connections afterwards.

Despite losing her unbeaten record, she looked a shade unlucky not to win the Rockfel Stakes at this track last time out where she was caught too far back, and was unable to claw back the deficit on the winner, who got first run on her.

Shuwari was the quickest through the final three furlongs, though, and had she raced closer to the pace, I think she would have beaten the winner.

An extra furlong here will suit, and she holds strong claims of getting back to winning ways.