Friday 18th July 2025
Friday’s Best Bets
3.50: Haydock
The first of my selections on Friday comes at Haydock and within the 3.50, which is a Class 5 handicap that’s contested over six furlongs. This is a competitive low-grade affair; however, I’ve come down on Justcallmepete for Tony Carroll, who’s the mount of Matthew Lloyd Slater taking off seven pounds. He bounced back to form last time out at Doncaster when finishing a length second of eight, and despite being raised three pounds for that run, he’ll effectively contest this off four pounds lower with his rider’s claim. His mark is also a pound lower than his last winning one, and I think he can make his presence felt here for a jockey and trainer combination that teamed up for a winner at Leicester yesterday.
JUSTCALLMEPETE – 13/2 (Each-Way)
4.10: Newbury (Rose Bowl Stakes)
My best bet of the day comes from Newbury and in the 4.10, which is the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes over six furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Wise Approach here for the team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He was a winner on debut before finishing fourth at York next time up; however, he took his form to a new level when finishing second behind the exciting Charles Darwin in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. That piece of form is the best on offer here, and he can turn the York form around with First Legion here off more favourable weights.
WISE APPROACH – 10/11 (Win) (NAP)
4.45: Newbury
My third selection of the afternoon also comes from Newbury, and within the 4.45, which is a Class 3 fillies’ handicap over a mile and five and a half furlongs. I’m quite strong on the chances of Star Of Light here for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of Tyler Heard. She was a winner on debut and hasn’t disgraced herself with several solid efforts among warm company. Most recently, she was only two and three-quarters of a length behind the winner in Listed company at Goodwood, and that’s strong form now she’s dropped into a handicap. The step up in trip should also suit here, given how she kept on that day, and considering her dam was a multiple Group 1 winner in Star Catcher.
STAR OF LIGHT – 3/1 (Win)
7.45: Hamilton
The fourth and final selection of the day for me comes within the 7.45 at Hamilton, and this is a Class 4 handicap that’s ridden over a mile and four furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Neoma here for Charlie Johnston, who’s the mount of Joe Fanning. She was a winner here over eleven furlongs on her penultimate outing, and was eight lengths clear of the horse in third when finishing a neck second at Pontefract last time out. She’s well-in for this particular assignment, and she should prove to be a big player.
NEOMA – 10/3 (Win) (NB)
