Best bets for the horse racing Friday 23rd July

A non-runner and a second on Thursday making it an annoying afternoon. There is quite a bit going on Friday but I am actually staying pretty selective again. Alpine Star caught my eye entered at York but it is for the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes and she is loooong odds-on as you would expect. Indigo Girl makes her much awaited three-year-old debut in the Group Three British Racecourses Join Sunflower Lanyard Scheme Valiant Stakes at 3.00 over at Ascot but she will be too short to back for me with the 287-day absence in mind. Won the G.2 May Hill Stakes before finishing second in the G.1 Fillies' Mile as a juvenile; that piece of form franked and then some with both the 1000 Guineas winner Mother Earth and double Oaks winner Snowfall finishing in behind. She should win but is priced accordingly and there is that nagging doubt about the length she has been off track.  

Best bets for the horse racing at Ascot

I mentioned Pulcheria (didn’t back her) before her debut and as expected she was sent off odds-on for the race at Leicester but having been bumped at the start, she showed her inexperience and ultimately finished last of three. She goes in the 1.20 the 7f John Guest Racing British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes. She's likely capable of much better and clearly quite liked at the yard so is worth a little investment here. I am on at 15-8 which is short enough but may look generous after. 

Best bets for the horse racing at Newmarket

Fall Of Rome has been tipped on all three of his starts and his stats read 2,3,3 which tells you all you need to know. He is due to try again in the 6.22 at Newmarket the 7f Rich Club With Rich Energy Nursery. He starts off a mark of 83 which may prove lenient and if it does, he will take plenty of stopping on his nursery debut. Step-up to 7f should also suit and I am going to give him another chance at the 7-2; he is drifting a little in the betting, I actually thought he might be shorter.  

Be lucky