Horse Racing Tips: Upbeat for a pair of extra place runners for Friday double

• Hardy proven over course and distance

• Miss Upbeat caught the eye last time

• Alan Dudman sticks at Newcastle and Dundalk

Hardy seeking win number three over CD

Hardy @ 9/1 in the 19:20 at Newcastle

With the return of the Flat tomorrow and a terrific card at Kempton, Saturday is a day I am eagerly awaiting.

The same cannot be said for the Newcastle card, nor any of the All-Weather meetings on Friday, but the 19:20 is one of the Extra Place Specials on the Sportsbook with 13 runners, and that's a good starting point for the opening leg.

Merry Secret initially was one I was looking to back as he returned to form last time and is well treated still, but I worry about his staying abilities over 7f as I think he's best at 6f.

Hardy has no such issues over tonight's distance as a two-time CD winner and I don't mind the drift at all from 6s to 9/1.

He scored in January for one of those wins from a lowly mark of 50 but had plenty in hand that day against some ropey opposition.

Jess Macey's runner again was over Newcastle's 7f last time out but it was his first run for 64 days, and while not a huge break, that would have taken the edge off any fitness and he's drawn well in 13 for the near side.

Upbeat the one improver to go close

Back Miss Upbeat @ 17/2 in the 20:30 at Dundalk

Very much a small stakes day for me on Friday and another Extra Place Special for the 20:30 at Dundalk with Miss Upbeat.

In a field of largely exposed runners, and most out of form, she fared okay in a handicap for the first time recently over CD and very much caught the eye after missing the break and staying on.

She was still green and inexperienced but that was very much her best run to date on her second attempt at the trip.

The 4yo will have no problem staying, and a cleaner start away from the stalls would be a big plus with some more experience under her belt and runs from the same mark as she is unchanged from her fourth recently.