Today on Sky Sports Racing: Ascot and Bangor in focus | Racing News

Ascot and Bangor are the venues for exciting racing this Friday – live on Sky Sports Racing …

4.45 Ascot – Awaal & Dear My Friend as lead actors

Awaal was not far beaten in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July when finishing seventh behind Aalto and would have a good chance if he could build on that performance after a short break. He would appreciate any relief on the ground and William Buick is a notable new signing.

Maximum weight Dear my friend has dropped weight after not being in good form in class this season and could be worth watching under James Doyle. Archie Watson’s winner over two courses and one distance Tenses is the best of the rest.

2.25 Ascot – O’Brien’s Isambard Brunel contests strong maiden race

Aidan O’Brien has a good chance of winning this hotly contested maiden race with a Justify colt.

Isambard Brunel was the favourite when fifth in his first start at Newbury and steps back to seven-eighths here after easing off at the end.

From the others Fifth column And Calla Lagoon competed in the same Kempton Novice that Yaroogh won last month and both hope to make progress in the switch to grass.

1.35 Bangor – Willie Mullins striker aims for hat-trick

Willie Mullins has won with three of his six runners in Great Britain this season and Fine edge is responsible for two of those successes. The seven-year-old is aiming for a hat-trick after scoring at Fontwell and Worcester earlier this summer and could still be hard to beat despite missing a double penalty.

Donald McCain’s Home Sweet Highway landed a course handicap in his last start and would have each-way chances as he received a lot of weight, while Jumping Susie is a double hurdle winner and a fearsome opponent for John McConnell.

The best of the rest

Ballet shoes should start as a hot favourite for Aidan O’Brien in the 3.00 race at Ascot. The first foal of Magical will be up against the likes of Glittering And Kylie of Lochalshbut she should have had too much. In 3.35, Wathnan debut winner Diego Ventura starts for the first time for Hamad Al Jehani and is considered the favorite as he is the only runner with winning experience.

In Bangor, the focus is on a Class 3 competition, where Gift and Counting as headliner with Brian Hughes on drums.

On the other side of the canal, Saint-Cloud is the setting for a beautiful listed event where Precious jewel She will debut in the blue jersey of Godolphin. Fourth in the German Derby Alleno is also in the running for Marcel Weiss.

Friday’s Racecards | Latest Sky Bet Odds

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