Horse Racing Tips: Sam Turner's best bets for Friday including 12/1 Chester Cup fancy

Market Rasen, 14.45 - Back Character Testing @ SP

It may seem a little odd to side with a 14-race maiden hurdler at Market Rasen when there is a plethora of decent flat action to go at today, but Character Testing may vindicate that decision at the Lincolnshire venue.

Mark Walford has done this column the odd favour of late and his five-year-old returns to the scene of arguably his best run over obstaces when runner-up to The Resdev Tyke over course and distance back in January.

Unfortunately, his subsequent three performances under both codes haven't been anything flash, but he has also run pretty well at Kempton over hurdles on good ground for his former trainer and it could just be that he is better that way round.

He is not one for a maximum bet, but could pop up at a track where Walford traditionally enjoys success.  

Chester, 15.05 - Back Spirit Mixer each-way @ 12/113.00

Home By The Lee took five attempts before he finally lifted the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, so Spirit Mixer is a relative novice having just his third attempt at Chester Cup glory here.

In contrast to his erstwhile hurdling colleague who has suddenly turned the corner mentally and physically at the age of 11, Andrew Balding's eight-year-old has been stymied by poor draws on his two previous assaults on this feature handicap.

Drawn 17 two years ago and 13 last year, the son of Frankel had little or no hope from the moment the gates open and stall 10 is hardly a massive positive this time round.

However, both Cleveland and Falcon Eight have won from that number in the past five years so it is possible to win from a double-figure berth and the selection's track stats (1401171) read extremely well in spite of those two reverses when his chance was severely compromised through no fault of his own.  

Spirit Mixer's colours were carried to victory in the finale on day one and the popular veteran could deliver another huge performance granted some luck in running here, especially as Rob Hornby has won four of his eight starts aboard the Kingsclere gelding.

Chester, 16.10 - Back Tribal Star each-way @ 14/115.00

Irish trainers dominate the Chester Plate Handicap with Kingstonian looking a likely type for Joseph O'Brien, especially drawn in stall five.

The Study Of Man gelding makes his debut for the Kilkenny handler following a switch from Jessie Harrington and his third to Saratoga in a Listowel handicap when last seen on a racecourse in September reads pretty well following his conqueror's subsequent achievements over hurdles.

He hasn't been missed by the compilers though and I wonder if our old friend Tribal Star may again trouble the podium at a double figure price with the cheekpieces back on.

There is no doubt the five-year-old is quirky and doesn't find what is expected off the bridle, but he invariably travels well in these big handicaps and arrives with a chance and his trainer has already landed an Ayr winner with his raiding party this week, while City House was a creditable fourth at 20/1 in a day one handicap.

Handily drawn in four, Tribal Star chased home Ces winner Beylerbeyi, Prydwen and Berkshire Sundance in a strong renewal of the Easter Plate Marathon Handicap last time after again travelling strongly and I wonder if this return to a more idiosyncratic track may see him in a better light.

Now read more horse racing columns here