KEEN racing fan David Page (@page_dave) picks out his best bets from Friday's action.
5:30 Musselburgh | Friday 7th September 2018 | RUK
There are a few in here making their handicap debut that could prove to be well treated but the one I’m keen on is Pammi (5/2 Paddy Power).
She’s run well on all three starts for current trainer Jim Goldie, the highlight of which was a win over this trip at Hamilton last month where she destroyed the field by six lengths, showing she had plenty in hand.
That victory came on good to soft so if any rain does arrive it’s unlikely to be a problem. She turned out the following week over this course and distance under a penalty and wasn’t beaten far at all when second, with one of those horses in behind running a cracker at Haydock this week to frank the form.
There’s no doubting that this filly took a while to get the hang of the game but she can progress further now and has a huge chance here off a mark of just 55.
Pammi is my Friday NAP.
4:20 Ascot | Friday 7th September 2018 | RUK
The great form of Andrew Balding shows no sign of stopping (16 winners in the last fortnight at a strike rate of 31%) and that is one of the many reasons that Zwayyan (4/1 William Hill) makes appeal here.
Talented claimer Jason Watson takes off three pounds and keeps the ride having steered him to victory on the all-weather at Chelmsford last time out and there is reason to believe he could improve further.
That was the gelding’s first win since a success over course and distance last October but he rarely runs a bad race and has placed in valuable handicaps at York, Nottingham and here at Ascot in the last year.
He is now on a career high mark of 98 but I don’t find that prohibitive as he’s only gone up three pounds since his last race and the fact that he’ll handle any cut in the ground is another tick in his box.
Best Bets
5:30 Musselburgh – Pammi (5/2 Paddy Power)
4:20 Ascot- Zwayyan (4/1 William Hill)
