Katie Midwinter has two bets on Friday’s Newmarket card.  Sign up to our free tips newsletter or Telegram Channel for the best prices on our horse racing tips.

The Oh So Sharp Stakes appears an open contest this year as eleven promising fillies line up, all attempting to claim the Group Three prize. Roger Varian has won two of the last five renewals and saddles Dubawi filly Youngest who has only been seen once when victorious at Leicester last month. Crystallium heads the market, narrowly ahead of Rage Of Bamby, and both appear capable of receiving the plaudits. However, there are fillies at bigger prices who could cause an upset and Rod Millman’s Tagline is an interesting contender. 

The Havana Grey filly does appear exposed, but she has been running well in Group contests and has shaped as though a step up in trip will suit. She has been tried over 7f, when finishing last of the field at Sandown, but it may be worth forgiving her that run as she never looked comfortable and hung badly in the closing stages before being eased by her jockey.

When last seen in the Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury, she put in a gallant effort to finish third, staying on strongly over the 6f trip. At a double-figure price she could be slightly overlooked and may represent some value from an each-way perspective.

Richard Hannon’s Immortal Beauty is worth mentioning with Ryan Moore onboard, but with the stable struggling to find a winner in recent weeks she may be best watched for now.

Another to keep an eye on is Richard Fahey’s unexposed Midnight Mile, by No Nay Never out of a Galileo mare. She has only made one start in her career, winning on debut at Doncaster in July. showing plenty of greenness. She could well show improvement this time out, now with some experience, stepping up in trip. Her sire has produced an excellent crop of two-year-olds, with many enjoying successes at the top level in juvenile races, and this filly could be one to watch at a big price.

2:25pm Newmarket – Tagline 1pt E/W @ 18/1 (various firms, 16/1 in places)

William Haggas’ La Yakel is bidding for a hat-trick of wins as he heads to post in the Old Rowley Cup at 4:10pm on the card. He coped with the step up in trip well at Ascot when last seen beating ten rivals under 5lbs claimer Adam Farragher. He has been given a 5lbs rise by the handicapper, running off a mark of 92 with Tom Marquand onboard, making it a tougher task this time out. 

First Ruler was a length behind at Ascot when carrying 14lbs more than the winner and runs off a 1lbs higher mark of 97, giving 5lbs away as he attempts to reverse form with his rival. Top-weight Maksud was well-beaten by Cresta at Windsor but had chased home Secret State in his prior run at Goodwood when finishing ahead of Inverness and Soulcombe. The form of the race has worked out well, with the two behind Maksud both winning competitive handicaps since, in good fashion. 

George Boughey’s Simply Sondheim is unbeaten in six runs since being gelded in March, now rated 31lbs higher making his first attempt at a mile-and-a-half. There is stamina on his dam’s side, as his dam’s sire, Sixties Icon, was a Group One-winner over 1m6f and recorded multiple Group Three victories over 1m4f and further. If able to handle the extra distance, he is certainly one to consider with his impeccable record in recent months.

Grey gelding Haunted Dream is a consistent type, often running well and finishing among the places, only 3lbs higher than when winning at Southwell last month, and is perhaps one to consider from an each-way angle.

4:10pm Newmarket – Simply Sondheim 1pt win @ 10/1 (various firms)

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