Racing on Friday in the UK and Ireland comes from Lingfield (1.20-4.35pm), Wetherby (1.40-4.55), Southwell (2.05-5.55), Wexford (4.10-7.10), Newcastle (5.20-8.20) and Dundalk (5.30-8.30). National Hunt action comes from Wetherby and Wexford and the other four are all-weather Flat meetings.
Our nap runs at Wetherby where a Fergal O’Brien-trained mare is looking to break her maiden in the opening race on their card.
Horse racing predictions today – Wetherby, Wexford and Newcastle
Enda McElhinney’s picks for Friday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.
Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.
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You can find the racecard for the 2023 Grand National here.
Horse racing predictions: Wetherby 1.40
It is proving to be an excellent season for trainer Fergal O’Brien, who is in fourth place in the British Trainers’ Championship behind the big three of Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson. He has had more winners than all three but trails them in prize money.
O’Brien has an excellent chance of adding to his tally for the campaign with POUGNE AMINTA in this 2m 5½f maiden hurdle. The six-year-old was successful in a point-to-point over 3m in Ireland before she switched to the UK, then took a big step forward on her hurdles debut last month at Southwell (2m 4½f), where she was second to a smart horse from Stuart Edmunds’ yard.
The extra distance in this race is likely to be in her favour, on the evidence of that points contest, and she was rallying late on at Southwell last time out to ensure she did not finish far behind the winner.
Selection: Pougne Aminta @ SP with Paddy Power
Horse racing predictions: Wexford 5.10
The predicted heavy going shouldn’t be a problem for recent Leopardstown winner JUMPING JET, who prevailed on yielding ground on over 2m 4f on that occasion.
It took Gordon Elliott’s mare five starts to get off the mark since arriving at his yard. She could be ready to kick on now and her connections appear to have found a good opportunity for her in this 3m novice hurdle.
The seven-year-old carries a penalty but Cheltenham Festival star Michael O’Sullivan takes off a very useful 5lb. The opposition doesn’t look very strong, so expect her to successfully follow up.
Selection: Jumping Jet @ SP with Paddy Power
Horse racing predictions: Newcastle 7.50
SATIN SNAKE ran poorly over six furlongs at Kempton this month but if you can forgive that run, he has some solid form to his name over this 7f trip.
Adrian Keatley’s gelding has been successful three times in his past seven outings, his most recent win coming over this trip three runs ago at Kempton, where he stayed on strongly to prevail.
The four-year-old was denied by a short head on his follow up attempt, again over 7f, but didn’t get a clear run in that contest and might easily have triumphed had he found a clear path sooner.
This race at Newcastle looks very competitive, but if the son of Aclaim can bounce back from that run at Kempton, he is good enough to get his nose in front. The booking of 3lb claimer Ryan Sexton will help, as will his favourable draw.
Selection: Satin Snake @ SP with Paddy Power
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