Charlie McCann’s Horse Racing Tips For Friday, 3 July - Sandown, Doncaster & Newton Abbot
Charlie heads to Sandown on Friday for his best bet
It's a busy day of racing action in the UK and Ireland, and Charlie McCann is here with his exclusive free horse racing tips - only at FreeBets.
3:35pm Sandown - Sallaal (Nap)
SALLAAL (Nap) may have been flattered by the margin of victory in a valuable 10f handicap at Epsom last time, given he bagged the stand rail, which was advantageous on the Friday of the two-day Derby meeting.
That said it was a stunning performance, and he looks well up to listed class, and he is taken to follow up for Rogar Varian and Ray Dawson. That Epsom win was gained on good to soft ground, and he was taken out of a race at Royal Ascot last year on account of the prevailing fast ground. Conditions were described as a mix of good and good to firm on Thursday morning, and the hope is that the ground is not rattling fast, although there are plenty of fast ground winners in his pedigree.
Boiling Point carries a 3lbs penalty but is still considered the chief threat to the selection, having made most to win a similar contest at Goodwood back in the spring. There is no doubt that the BHA handicapper has given Sallaal a ridiculously inflated mark of 119 for his Epsom success, but he can take this step up in grade in his stride.
Recommendation: Sallaal (Nap) - 6/5 with bet365
3:45pm Doncaster - Serenity Blue (Each-Way)
SERENITY BLUE (Each-Way) is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and drops back to 10f for the first time this year. He is bred to stay a mile-and-a-half, but the evidence of all three starts this term suggests he wouldn't get 12f in a horsebox.
He was beaten before stamina became an issue at Thirsk last time, however, although this trip on fast ground are his optimum conditions and he is well handicapped at present. Two of the yard's last four runners have struck gold, although I appreciate this inmate has regressed since being gelded in April.
The assumption is that he has had a reaction to the gelding procedure, but with the stable in good form, I am going to give him another chance and back him each way at what I presume will be a double-figure price.
Redbud Sixteen has won his last couple and would be carrying another 4lbs if this race were run tomorrow. He is sure to be a short
price, however, having made all to win his last couple of starts by an aggregate of over twelve lengths. His winning time at Newbury broke standard, but he is, arguably, 9lbs higher this afternoon, given he was ridden by Harry Vigors, who claimed 3lbs, at the Berkshire track.
The unexposed three-year-olds Be Patient and Bintknight both won their last start and are open to considerable improvement after just two starts, but the hope is that Serenity Blue is overlooked in the market and can bounce back to form.
Recommendation: Serenity Blue (Each-Way) - 12/1 with bet365 (3 places)
5:05pm Newton Abbot - Longhouse Star
Dan Skelton is going all out to break the record of Martin Pipe for jumps winners in a season and I have avoided all the yard's runners in recent weeks as they are, invariably, too short and the same might be the case with LONGHOUSE STAR who makes his stable and handicap debut. That said, connections have found a very winnable-looking race.
The nine-year-old is a four-time winner between the flags in his native Ireland – all on decent ground – and he was reported to have moved to Skelton's yard just ten days ago. That is not a great deal of time to have improved any horse, but Skelton must feel he can get at least one win out of the ex-Sam Curling inmate, and he won't have to be anything special to be competitive from a mark of ninety-two.
The one I will be keeping an eye on for the future is He Is A Cracker, who has his first start of 2026 and has no great record fresh. That said, he is one to consider later in the summer/early autumn on decent ground at Fontwell, ideally.
Recommendation: Longhouse Star - 2/1 with bet365
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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