Daily Racing Tips: That Friday feeling!

Carl Harris’ Daily Racing Tips / Carl Harris / 28 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

"I think there is more to come from Grand Opera, particularly over hurdles, and I make him my best bet of the day."

After a drab Thursday, Carl Harris has perked up at the prospect of a bumper bank holiday weekend of racing...

Things are looking up! Six meetings of much better quality action for us on Friday. With a great weekend in store a smile has returned to my face. It has been a tedious week and I've mustered little enthusiasm for the low quality cards, but we have an excellent couple of days ahead. The evening racing, on turf, comes to an end for another year, which means I will have to find other things to do with my evenings. There are five flat meetings and a jumps card at Ffos Las to get stuck in to.

I have not been to Ffos Las, but it looks a very nice course and certainly reports are that the track is excellent. It is a good card with all the big names in attendance, which includes Ruby Walsh who should have a winner with Grand Opera (3.55). The progressive six-year-old should continue his winning spell with the stable going well. Gordon Elliott's runner was useful on the flat and is pretty good over hurdles, as the form shows. I think there is still more to come, particularly over hurdles, and I make Grand Opera my best bet of the day.

Theymistim (5.00) was appropriately named on his debut at Beverley. He spoilt a gamble on a horse which was backed from 66/1 to about the 10/1 mark and came late and fast to win very easily. It is a stiff climb at Beverley and I have, in many years of racing there, never seen a maiden finish so well. I put Linda Stubbs' horse straight in the notebook and I am delighted that he is running in a novice contest. I think we will see him win again, and win well.

I really like a Mark Johnston juvenile who comes second on their racecourse debut, Corsica (2.35) did just that at Sandown, behind a highly regarded horse of John Gosden's. This Cape Cross colt will certainly improve for that run and should break his maiden in this modest looking affair.

Carl Harris's Best Bets for Friday 28th August:

2.35 Thirsk - Corsica, Win
3.55 Ffos Las - Grand Opera, Win
5.50 Newcastle - Theymistim, Win