Today’s FREE horse racing tips: Epsom, Market Rasen, Catterick, Bath, Doncaster and Goodwood – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Friday, June 1
Steve Mullen guides you through Friday's racing at Epsom, Market Rasen, Catterick, Bath, Doncaster and Goodwood
EPSOM
2.00
MARIE’S DIAMOND showed his liking for soft ground when winning in the mud on debut at Leicester in April.
He stepped up on that in defeat at Newbury last time when third in much quicker conditions. He sees out this 6f trip well and wouldn’t have to improve much more to strike.
Mendoza caught the eye on debut at Newbury when third over this trip. He was very green early on before improving in the closing stages of the race.
There should be a lot more to come for in-form trainer Brian Meehan.
True Belief was hampered on debut at York but still ran well and is another with a lot more to come.
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2.35
KING’S PAVILION is one of the few proven soft ground performers in the field and he has an all-important Epsom win under his belt too.
He was hampered with midfield at Wetherby last time and is better judged on his earlier third at Ripon. He’s still a little higher than his last winning mark but should be in the mix.
Masham Star went down in a bobbing finish at Ayr last time and runs off the same mark here. That was over 7f but he has no problem seeing out this longer trip.
Donncha is just the quirky type who pops up at Epsom and he wasn’t beaten far in soft ground at Goodwood last time. He’s 1lb down the weights which is another plus.
3.10
CRACKSMAN is long odds-on for good reason and there appear to be no chinks in his armour. He likes this trip, loves the track and has no issue with a bit of give underfoot.
He has blown away the cobwebs this season with a bloodless win in the Group 1 Ganay at Longchamp.
Hawkbill looks the one for the forecast spot although he will find these conditions different to Meydan where he landed a couple of big wins at the Spring Carnival.
The form of his Sheema Classic win would normally be good enough to win this.
Steve Mullen's TV Tips
2.00 Epsom – Marie’s Diamond: ‘Sees this trip out well and already has good form in these conditions’
2.35 Epsom – King’s Pavilion: ‘Has an all-important Epsom win under his belt’
3.10 Epsom – Cracksman: ‘Long odds-on for a reason, loves the trip and track’
3.45 Epsom – Ajman King: ‘Should cope with his rise and looks better than this class’
4.30 Epsom – Magic Wand: ‘Looked a Classic contender when scooting home at Chester last time’
5.15 Epsom – Lake Volta: ‘Shapes as if this trip will suit and can hit the frame’
5.50 Epsom – Juanito Chico: ‘Won at this meeting last season and this is his optimum trip’
3.45
AJMAN KING was impressive when scoring over course and distance last time with Another Touch chasing him home in second.
There was only a length between them at the line but it could have been a lot more if required.
He has winning form on soft ground and a 5lb rise from the handicapper looks fair for a horse that is destined for Pattern races.
Another Touch won’t be far away as he also likes soft ground while Brorocco has tasted success over course and distance and looked in need of the run when midfield at Newmarket last time.
He should improve for that and is another contender.
4.30
MAGIC WAND looked a Classic contender when scooting home in the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester last time out. She went from the front and didn’t have to hit top gear to win eased down.
This is obviously a much stiffer test but we know she handles a difficult track like the Roodee and should have no issues with the trip. She looks capable of taking another step forward.
Wild Illusion has been backed this week on the back of some good reports from home.
She was a good fourth in the 1,000 Guineas last time and gave the impression that this longer distance would be ideal. She can prove that today but doesn’t warrant being half the price of Magic Wand on what we’ve seen so far.
Perfect Clarity runs for the excellent Clive Cox. She was impressive when winning the Lingfield Oaks trial despite Adam Kirby dropping the whip.
She didn’t need any encouragement to stay on strongly and being able to handle Lingfield bodes well for Epsom. She’s another who looks a fair price and it would be no shock to see her on the podium.
Two of the past five Oaks have seen a shock result. If that’s going to happen today Flattering could be the one. She loves testing ground and would come right into it should the ground stay soft.
She was a hot favourite before finishing third in the Lingfield trial and you should forgive one bad run, although it wasn’t that bad.
5.15
LAKE VOLTA is worth an each-way punt with Kings Shield likely to be a very short order after his good run in the French Guineas.
Mark Johnston has the excellent champion jockey on board and his best effort this season came with some cut in the ground. He shapes as though this trip will suit and can hit the frame.
5.50
JUANITO CHICO won at this meeting last season and loves this distance. He looked very much in need of the run when beaten seven lengths at Newmarket on his comeback last time.
He is coming down the weights and, with conditions to suit, he should be right in the shake-up.
CATTERICK
1.50 Lu Kui
2.25 Cool Macavity
3.00 Machree
3.35 Buildmeupbuttercup
4.10 Lady In Question
4.55 Foxtrot Knight
5.30 Mitchum
6.05 Dyson’s Girl
MARKET RASEN
1.40 Settie Hill
2.15 Overtoujay
2.50 Atlanta’s Gold
3.25 The Grinder
4.00 Notnow Seamus
4.45 Midnight Gem
5.20 Pretty Reckless
GOODWOOD
6.10 Ravenhoe
6.40 Main Edition
7.10 Popping Corks
7.45 Crafty Madam
8.15 Snookered
8.50 Move Swiftly
DONCASTER
6.00 Steal The Scene
6.30 Eternal Flame
7.00 Gleaming Sun
7.35 Spanish City
8.05 Mustaaqeem
8.40 Maid Up
9.10 Dr Richard Kimble
BATH
5.45 Toolatetodelegate
6.20 High Horse
6.50 Altra Vita
7.25 Arctic Sea
7.55 Waseem Faris
8.30 On A Roll
9.00 King Crimson