Horse Racing Tips on Friday, April 29
There are five meetings spread across the UK on Friday, April 29th with the action coming from Cheltenham, Goodwood, Newcastle, Newmarket and Wolverhampton. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Friday Lucky 15.
Subastar (1.50 Newmarket)
Nations Pride commands plenty of respect at the top of the betting, however, Roger Varian seemingly holds SUBASTAR in the highest regard as the three-year-old tackles Listed company on just his second racecourse outing.
Seemingly unfancied when sent off 14/1 for his debut at Newmarket over a mile last September, Roger Varian’s well-bred newcomer delivered an eye-catching debut performance, staying on strongly in the style of a smart individual to win by a comfortable one and a half lengths at the winning post.
That opening victory appears to be a very useful effort considering the Sea The Stars Colt came home in front of three subsequent winners, including the fourth-placed finisher Magisterial, who provided a timely form boost at Leicester last weekend.
The step up to ten furlongs on Friday looks tailor-made for Subastar given his profile and with the three-year-old holding fancy entries in the Derby and Irish equivalent, Roger Varian’s talented colt will be expected to land Listed honours on his seasonal return.
Subastar (centre) can add to his first-time out course success on seasonal return.
Raasel (2.40 Goodwood)
A five-time winner last season, RAASEL was unable to continue the winning thread on seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh earlier this month, however, it’s probably worth upgrading his fifth-placed effort and he is given another chance with James Doyle returning to the saddle.
Returning from a career-high mark of 94, the five-year-old was up with the pace from the early stages in Musselburgh’s five-furlong Class 2 contest and was unable to get sufficient cover under jockey Alistair Rawlinson. Despite racing widest of all, Mick Appleby’s progressive sprinter wasn’t beaten far at the line and certainly ran with credit considering the way the race ultimately developed.
Raasel still appears to be feasibly treated from his current mark on that evidence and if able to track confirmed pace setters Atalanta’s Boy and Fine Wine from the outset, the five-year-old is more than capable of landing this competitive handicap and can continue his progression.
Raasel (centre) can get back to winning ways with James Doyle taking the ride on Friday afternoon.
Legend Of Dubai (4.45 Newmarket)
There should be further improvement to come from LEGEND OF DUBAI this season as Roger Varian’s well-bred four-year-old returns this campaign.
The son of Dubawi was sent off at prohibitive odds in three starts as a juvenile back in 2020 and although Legend Of Dubai was unable to get his head in front on either of those three starts, Roger Varian’s charge showed some useful form including when chasing home subsequent Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle at Doncaster over the one-mile trip.
After suffering a minor setback, Legend Of Dubai returned following a 348-day absence last August at Ffos Las. Racing over twelve furlongs for the first time, Legend Of Dubai comfortably got off the mark, seeing off the challenge of Golden Crusader inside the final furlong to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Although the drop back to one mile is a slight concern on Friday afternoon, Roger Varian’s talented colt could be extremely well treated with a mark of 85 and with smart juvenile form already to his name, Legend Of Dubai could be one to follow this term and is certainly worth supporting as he begins his four-year-old season.
Trainer Roger Varian can strike at Newmarket with Legend of Dubai.
Lysander (5.35 Newcastle)
This certainly looks like a warm novice event with the likes of impressive Newmarket winner Francesco Clemente and well-bred newcomer Capstan lining up. Both are entitled to respect but the vote on this occasion goes to William Haggas’ LYSANDER, who caught the eye on his debut last season at Newbury and could turn out to be an exciting prospect for connections this year.
Seen only once last season, the son of New Approach was sent off 11/2 to make a winning start for connections but endured a troubled passage throughout the one-mile contest at Newbury as jockey Tom Marquand was forced to wait for a gap to appear before making his challenge inside the final furlong.
Ultimately finishing third, Lysander went into many notebooks following that encouraging display and with improvement forthcoming this season, William Haggas’ charge will be expected to take high rank this season and top middle-distance events could be very much on his agenda this campaign.