Best horse bets for Friday: Picks for Sandown, Aintree and Goodwood

Renowned tipster and Journalist, Ed Quigley aka ‘Longshot Ted’ fired in the winners on Tuesday and is back with his best bets for Friday’s action.

Ted’s Bets for Friday:

• Sandown 3.50 Stage Show – bet with Tote
• Sandown 4.25 Leadenhall – bet with William Hill
• Aintree 6.25 Shearer – bet with BetVictor
• Aintree 7.00 De Barley Basket – bet with BetUK
• Goodwood 7.50 Fairbanks – bet with bet365

Sandown 3.50 – Stage Show

Roger Charlton went through a barren spell where not many of his string were firing at all, but they seem to be over that malaise, and as a consequence have a few individuals who could easily have a lot more to offer this season. STAGE SHOW has run with credit on both starts this season and really catches the eye here stepping up to 10f for the first time. The gelding was a staying-on fourth over 7f at Kempton on seasonal reappearance, and then produced a similar effort when filling third at Ascot last time out. That was on soft ground which wouldn’t have played to his strengths, but to his credit he didn’t wilt inside the closing stages, giving the impression that a greater test of stamina will suffice. Well, I have my wish here, as we are up to 10f for the first time, and I think this could unlock his potential with the aforementioned form of the yard now in fine fettle. Off a mark of 74 he looks a solid each-way play with nine runners due to go post in this Handicap for 3-year-olds.

Sandown 4.25 – Leadenhall

The blinkers go on for the first time on LEADENHALL, who clearly has his quirks, but undoubtedly has a lot of ability to go with it. The son of Kingman is making his Handicap debut here, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more to come off a mark of 73, especially with the step back up to 7f looking sure to suit. He looked a little tapped-for-toe at a vital stage over 6f at Salisbury last time out on his seasonal reappearance, and he could easily have a lot more to offer back at 7f, and is perfectly entitled to strip fitter for his latest outing which came on the back of a 217 day break. Rossa Ryan takes the ride on the son of Kingman who looks a serious player here.

Aintree 6.25 – Shearer

The Paul Nicholls trained SHEARER can hit the target in this Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. The 7-year-old made a strong start to his chasing career when winning at Ludlow last month where he jumped brilliantly on his first start over the larger obstacles. He is in a tougher race here, but nudged up just 2lb for his most recent win, he can strike again here for the red-hot Ditcheat yard. Harry Cobden is in the plate on this unexposed sort who has untapped potential in staying chases, and the combination look to have the tools required to see off opposition once again. 

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Aintree 7.00 – De Barley Basket

The Ben Pauling team make the long journey up from their Cotswold base to try and land the spoils in this Handicap Chase with DE BARLEY BASKET. The 10-year-old enjoys Good ground and is entitled to have come forward for a ring-rust removing run at Cartmel last month. With that run under his belt he could easily make his presence felt here, eased 2lb in the weights. The gelding has a healthy strike-rate over fences, and will be looking to add to the tally with Kielan Woods taking the ride. 

Goodwood 7.50 – Fairbanks

It is hard to look beyond the claims of FAIRBANKS who arrives here on a hattrick, and was last seen when pulverising the field at Leicester 10 days ago, and although in a deeper race here, looks the one to beat under a penalty. The Andrew Balding trained colt made short work of his seven rivals and is officially 5lb “well-in” here. Since the visor was applied, his form has gone to new levels and as he is clearly thriving, he can strike again here before he is reassessed. David Probert is in the saddle for the ride on the son of Nathaniel, and the duo look rock solid here. Bulldog Spirit will offer more of a test than recent rivals for the in-form Charlie Johnston yard but it is Fairbanks who can win again here.

About the author

Don’t forget Ed will be back on Saturday as he previews all the action and provides his best bets.

Follow Ted on Twitter @Lonshot_Ted

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