Friday Racing Tips: Three big-priced fancies at Newmarket

A Channel 4 card consisting solely of 2yo races is not my idea of punting heaven - especially with the three main races only attracting seven runners - so it'll be small stakes all the way for me on Future Champions Day at Newmarket on Friday. 
 
Before I get stuck into the nitty gritty of the card, I have to comment on the negativity in the press surrounding these end-of-season fixtures, notably British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday.
 
Now, you will struggle to find a more cynical soul than my good self - I always tend to look at the potential downside first in every situation, and love giving out a good kicking when and where it is deserved - but even I have been taken aback by the negative press coverage of Ascot.
 
Earlier in the week, there was a real sense of glee to the reporting as the meeting lost more big-name horses, and the most disappointing aspect of the sport these days is that everything seems to be agenda-led. 
 
And that rarely leads to balanced reporting.
 
Of course, October is not the ideal time for hold "Champions" days in this country - not only because of the weather but because they fall smack bang in the middle of the Arc and Breeders Cup meetings - but that's the hand that we have been dealt by the European Pattern Committee, so let's get on with it.  
 
Having the same old snipe every year about the weather and the timing is becoming a bit tedious and tiresome.
 
Anyway, on to Newmarket, and the opening nursery at 13:50, where I narrowed it down to Deep Blue Sea and Hound Music, and then spent another 15 minutes tossing up between the two.
 
And I eventually landed on the side of Hound Music. Back him at odds of 20.019/1 or better.
 
Deep Blue Sea is a big danger, as a mark of 74 for her Yarmouth win looks very fair - the form is working out pretty well - and it is clear for all to see that this extra furlong will suit. 
 
And while I don't take too much notice of trainer/jockey quotes after victories - some do tend to get carried away in the winning aftermath - the fact that rider William Carson was talking in terms of the Oh So Sharp Stakes afterwards suggests they think she is much better than a 74-rated filly.
 
I couldn't put anyone off backing her but I slightly prefer the claims of Hound Music, mainly because she has form on soft ground and is a bigger price.
 
She finished fourth at 100-1 in the mud on the July course on her debut and I think the handicapper has played fair in only raising her 2lb for her narrow third in a good time at Leicester.
 
They pulled over 2 lengths clear of the fourth and I think that the combination of the step back up to 7f and soft ground will see her improve - she is a half-sister to the stable's smart soft ground stayer Cunning Act - and the added bonus is that talented claimer Danny Brock takes 3lb off.
 
Next up is the Cornwallis at 14:25, and it features one of the more fascinating 2yos to hit these shores in recent seasons in the shape of Volatile, who won on his Swedish debut by the small matter of 16 ½ lengths.
 
Your guess is as good as mine as to what that victory equates to, and in fact the whole race is full of imponderables, whether it is the ability to act on the ground or forgiving poor last time out performances. 
 
Al Fareej and Rosie's Premiere would be my two against the field at the prices, but I won't be playing.
 
And it's a similar story in the Middle Park at 14:55, where Ivawood is around a 4-5 poke. 
 
If he is as effective on soft ground as he has been on firm, he wins. But I don't want to be taking odds-on about that, thanks, 
 
I think Lucida is a worthy favourite at around at the 13-8 mark in the Fillies Mile at 15:25, so it is another no-bet race for me, especially given that there are only two places. I think Agnes Stewart is her main danger, though.
 
I am keen to take on Estidhkaar at around the 10-11 mark in the Dewhurst at 16:00, and will be doing so with Maftool.
 
I was very tempted to go in two-handed here with Smuggler's Cove, as well, and I am certainly not going to deter you from backing him. Timeform actually have him top-rated after a very impressive win at Dundalk last time, and his knee action suggests that he could handle this soft ground, too.
 
But Maftool gets the sole vote. He still looked green and inexperienced when winning the Tattersall Stakes over course and distance last month, and he doesn't have that much to find with the favourite on form.
 
The ground is an unknown - indeed, it's a concern on his US pedigree - but hopefully two drying days at Newmarket won't see it ride that soft, and there is more to come from this colt.
 
There are two races on RUK at the end of the card, and I cannot resist having a small bet on Highland Colori at odds of 22.021/1 or better in the 16:35.

He finished a decent fifth when we were on him over 6f at York last week, plugging on well enough, and he is worth another chance at these odds given that he is a course and distance winner here and soft ground is very much in his favour. His handicap form doesn't give him much to find with some of these.
 
Recommended Bets
 
Back Hound Music at odds of 20.019/1 or bigger in 13.50 at Newmarket
Back Maftool at odds of 8.415/2 or bigger in 16:00 at Newmarket
Back Highland Colori at odds of 22.021/1 or better in the 16:35 at Newmarket