Horse Racing Tips: Mark Milligan's best bets for Friday's racing at up to 9/2

Goodwood, 15:42 - Back Venetia @ 13/82.63

It's getting to the time of year when we start to see more three-year-olds taking on older horses and, over middle-distances in particular, the younger generation receive a hefty weight-for-age allowance. It can often be a big advantage for an improving younger horse to get chunks of weight off more exposed opponents and one that looks up to making the most of it is Venetia in this 1m 4f fillies' handicap.

Ralph Beckett's filly has got just four starts under her belt and made a winning handicap debut when taking an Ascot contest over 1m 2f earlier this month. She did have the run of things from the front that day, but showed a fine attitude when challenged and that's the sort of thing that will serve her well as she takes on some more battle-hardened foes here.

Off a mark of 81, though, and carrying just 8st 4lb, the conditions of the race very much favour one who likely still has plenty of progression in her.

Haydock, 17:15 - Back Sovereign Bay @ 10/34.33

Sovereign Bay makes his first foray into handicaps on just his fourth outing in the 1m contest that close Haydock's Friday card, and he looks potentially well treated starting out life from a perch of just 70.

A well-bred son of New Bay, he has been rather keen in his three starts to date but has shown plenty of potential in all of them and the likely stronger pace as he switches to handicap company should see him settle better, while another plus is Billy Lougnane taking over in the saddle for the first time.

That keenness rather got the better of him last time but if you go back to his debut run when second to one who now boasts a Timeform rating of 97, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that Sovereign Bay could be potentially chucked in from this opening mark on handicap bow.

The selection will need to race a little more kindly if he's to see things out, but I believe there's every chance he can do that with the positive jockey change.

Pontefract, 19:22 - Back Ventura Express @ 9/25.50

On to Pontefract for the final selection, where we're dealing with much more exposed sorts in this sprint handicap.

The pair that catch the eye are Ventura's Express and Jojo Rabbit, both of whom weren't seen to best effect on their latest starts, with the former looking particularly unlucky when fourth at Beverley. That looks pretty strong form in the context of this race and there's little doubt that Paul Midgley's veteran would have been right in the mix with another evergreen sort in Copper Knight had things panned out better for him.

Although he hasn't got his head in front since July 2024, he has tumbled down the weights since then and this will be the lowest grade of race he's contested for quite some time.

He may be nine years old now but Ventura Express clearly retains plenty of ability and has been given a chance by the handicapper, now racing from a mark 9lb lower than when last successful.

Now read more horse racing tips and previews here