Newmarket Races: Top tips, latest odds and betting preview for Day 1 of the Future Champions Festival live on ITV
THE Future Champions Festival kicks off at Newmarket on Friday with a mouthwatering afternoon of racing.
There are stakes races and competitive handicaps galore. Our man Jack Keene has taken a close look and picked out his best bets.
1.50 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3)
It will be fascinating to see how Method gets on dropped in class after a disastrous run in the Middle Park a couple of weeks ago.
He pulled like a train early on and his saddle slipped forward as a result. He eventually trailed home in eighth place.
The combination of a step down in distance and grade could see him bounce back, but it looks like the ground will come up soft which will be something of a concern.
Slight preference is for ACKLAM EXPRESS, who showed bundles of speed when bagging the Listed Roses Stakes at York in August.
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3.35 bet365 Fillies' Mile (Group 1)
An excellent renewal and several of these will no doubt be locking horns in the 1000 Guineas in the spring.
Pretty Gorgeous and Shale have been trading blows over the last few weeks, with the score currently 2-1 in favour of the latter.
The first-named was an authoritative winner when the pair clashed on soft ground in the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in August, while Shale has twice turned away her old rival on a sound surface.
Easy ground conditions may tilt the balance in favour of Pretty Gorgeous in Round 4 of their personal battle, but both may have to settle for a minor role behind INDIGO GIRL.
John Gosden's filly looked right out of the top drawer when bagging the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last month.
She saw the race out strongly when swatting aside some smart types that day and she is bred to stay further (sister to 1m4f Group 1 winner Journey), a big plus as she is taking on several fillies who are unproven at the trip.
Isabella Giles impressed in the Rockfel two weeks ago when able to dictate under a positive ride. She shouldn't be underestimated and could pose the biggest threat to the selection.
SELECTION: Indigo Girl
4.10 bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap
SHANDOZ is a horse with a big old engine and he can land this valuable pot.
He overcame a tricky position to win cosily in a hot handicap at Ascot last time, and the galloping nature of this course will suit him perfectly.
He is a stakes horse in the making and a mark of 96 should be well within reach.
There are some similarly promising types in here, including Luncies and Surrey Pride.
The former is turned out quickly under a penalty after a good win at Kempton while the latter was strong at the finish over 1m2f at Chester. Both should appreciate this 1m4f trip.
Galata Bridge has rattled off a hat-trick on the all-weather, but there is a slight question mark over him as he reverts to turf.
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Cepheus and Kipps chased home the selection at Ascot last time and hold solid each-way claims. The second-named is becoming particularly frustrating but he has plenty of ability.