Horse Racing Tips on Friday, July 29
There are seven meetings spread across Britain and Ireland on Friday July 29th, with the action coming from Bangor, Goodwood, Musselburgh, Newmarket, Southwell, Wolverhampton and Galway. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Friday Lucky 15.
Contactless (1.00 Wolverhampton) 7/1
After running below his best in his two turf outings at Ripon and Musselburgh back in June, CONTACTLESS seemed to appreciate the return to the all-weather surface when finishing a creditable fifth over this course and distance earlier this month.
Sent off 16/1 on that occasion, Declan Carroll’s three-year-old showed bright early pace leaving the stalls and soon found himself in a prominent position under jockey Harrison Shaw. Turning for home with still over two furlongs to go, Contactless kicked for home entering the straight but was ultimately unable to sustain his challenge on the run to the line. Despite crossing the line in fifth position that day, Contactless was beaten just over two lengths at the line and was far from disgraced.
Dropped 2lb to a mark of 51, it would be no surprise to see the three-year-old go close following his recent return to form and with jockey Zak Wheatley claiming an extra 5lb off his back, Contactless appears to have sound claims on Friday afternoon and can belatedly shed the maiden tag at the twelfth time of asking.
Oriental Spirit (4.50 Southwell) 7/1
ORIENTAL SPIRIT clearly benefitted from a change of riding tactics when swooping late to get off the mark at the fifth attempt on his first start on the all-weather at Kempton last month.
Prior to his breakthrough success last time out, the Swiss Spirit had failed to make his mark in four previous outings when ridden prominently, including on his handicap debut at Chepstow last month where he raced up with the pace for the majority of the six-furlong contest before weakening through the field to finish last of twelve. Switching to more patient tactics at Kempton when last seen off a mark of 67, Stuart Kittow’s charge stayed on strongly approaching the final furlong to get up in the shadows of the post at 33/1.
Up 3lb, as a result, Oriental Spirit should have this race run to suit with confirmed pace angles So Grateful and Ustath setting the early fractions and this represents a good opportunity for Stuart Kittow’s lightly-raced four-year-old to record another victory on the all-weather.
Chief Craftsman (6:10 Musselburgh) 5/1
Although an infrequent winner, Tim Easterby’s CHIEF CRAFTSMAN has gradually come down the weights as of late and certainly showed that his current mark was within reach when catching the eye at Beverley on his most recent start.
Racing over an inadequate trip of ten furlongs on that occasion, the eight-year-old travelled powerfully behind the leaders approaching the final couple of furlongs. Switched to launch his challenge towards the far side rail, Chief Craftsman met plenty of trouble in running and was never able to be asked for maximum effort under jockey Emily Easterby. Ridden out towards the line under hands and heels, Chief Craftsman ultimately finished with plenty of running left crossing the line and was only beaten two and a quarter lengths despite that significant interference.
Stepping back up in trip on Friday evening, Tim Easterby’s charge should have every chance of picking up career win number two off the back of that encouraging Beverley run last time out.
Call Me Ginger (8.20 Musselburgh) 3/1
Despite being 3lb out of the handicap last time out at Ascot, CALL ME GINGER produced a fantastic performance to land another valuable handicap for Scottish trainer Jim Goldie.
Last season’s Ayr Bronze Cup winner had struggled to threaten in his first five outings this season but soon regained the winning thread back at his beloved Ayr off a mark of 81 in June and in doing so, provided his trainer with his 1,000th career winner.
Not beaten far in his two course and distance starts afterwards, Call Me Ginger made the long journey to Ascot for just the third time in his career and after previously shaping well at the famous Berkshire track, the six-year-old made it third time lucky with an excellent performance under 5lb claimer Amie Waugh, staying on strongly between rivals to win going away at the line.
Well treated under a 5lb penalty for that latest success, it would be no surprise to see Call Me Ginger follow up on Friday evening and Jim Goldie’s charge rates one of the strongest bets of the day.