Horse Racing Tips on Friday, May 13
There are five meetings spread across the UK on Friday 13th May, with the action coming from Aintree, Hamilton, Newbury, Newmarket and York. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Friday Lucky 15.
Able Kane (2.05 Newbury)
The only confirmed pace angle in this contest appears to be ABLE KANE and if the five-year-old is able to grab an early lead under David Probert, he could be tough to reel in as he reverts back to six furlongs.
A talented performer on his day, Able Kane enjoyed a tremendous four-year-old campaign last season. Second in the valuable Stewards’ Sprint Handicap at Goodwood, Able Kane quickly resumed winning ways when landing an ultra-competitive six and a half furlong handicap at Doncaster. Following his Town Moor triumph, he rounded off the year with another smart performance when landing his third victory at Leicester back in October.
Unable to land a blow in his two outings over seven furlongs at Newmarket this season, Able Kane should be seen to better effect back racing over his optimum trip and with question marks surrounding the majority of his six rivals, the five-year-old rates a confident selection.
Able Kane can return to winning ways back down at six furlongs on Friday afternoon.
Cockalorum (3.00 York)
Although his form somewhat tailed off towards the end of last year, COCKALORUM might be worth chancing on his seasonal return as he has previously run well fresh in the past and has often saved his best efforts for the Knavesmire.
Second on his comeback run at Newcastle last season, Roger Fell’s charge took his form to new heights last term. Back to back wins at Musselburgh and Redcar were soon followed by a string of excellent performances in valuable handicap contests, including when being narrowly denied at York in the John Smith’s Cup off a mark of 95.
Despite failing to make an impact on his final three starts as a six-year-old, Cockalorum now finds himself back down to the same mark which saw him go close over course and distance last year and with fitness unlikely to be an issue following his 202-day absence, the seven-year-old is certainly worth supporting especially with in-form jockey Ben Curtis returning to the saddle.
Cockalorum looks to have plenty of boxes ticked as he returns to York this Friday.
Mattice (5.20 York)
The one runner in here that really catches the eye is Tim Easterby’s MATTICE, who despite remaining a maiden after five career starts, has some high-class juvenile form to his name and looks seriously overpriced in the current market.
After making an encouraging debut to finish third at Beverley last season as a two-year-old, Mattice ran a mighty race on just his second racecourse outing to finish runner-up over six furlongs at York in a Class 2 maiden contest. The form of that particular race has worked out remarkably well as Tim Easterby’s charge split subsequent Listed and international Grade 1 winner Albahr as well as Richard Hannon’s dual Group 2 winner Lusail.
Returning for his three-year-old campaign last month, he failed to handle the unsuitable soft conditions underfoot when finishing fourth at Pontefract before failing to justify odds-on favouritism at Thirsk after showing plenty of speed throughout.
Rated 77, Mattice looks potentially well treated as he drops back to the minimum trip and it will be disappointing if the three-year-old can’t make a serious impact on his handicap debut on Friday afternoon.
Mattice (right) has previously run well on the Knavesmire and should run a big race on Friday afternoon for trainer Tim Easterby.
Stroxx (8:25 Hamilton)
A very low-grade affair and although he has proved expensive to follow during his career, STROXX is probably worth another chance off his lowly mark of 51 on just his second start for trainer Liam Bailey.
Formerly with Tim Easterby, Stroxx made little impact in the majority of his outings as a four-year-old last season, despite showing a glimmer of promise when keeping on well to finish second at Newcastle over five furlongs last December from a mark of 57.
Transferred recently to Liam Bailey, the five-year-old ran well for a long way on his stable debut at Musselburgh over the minimum trip back in April and only weakened out of contention well inside the final furlong.
Despite his uninspiring form figures, the majority of his better efforts have come over six furlongs and off his lowest ever mark, Stroxx should appreciate the step back up in trip on Friday evening and new connections will be hoping he can finally put it all together and belatedly get off the mark.