Friday Racing Tips: Key Timeform data including a clear top-rated Sectional horse at Newbury

14:20, Ayr - The Grafter can progress again over fences

The Grafter didn't manage to win in bumpers or over hurdles, but he's bred to come into his own over fences, and he's made an excellent start in this sphere.

He was well backed ahead of his chase debut at Newcastle, and he justified support in grand style, typically racing with plenty of enthusiasm, while there was also plenty to like about his strength at the finish in heavy ground.

The Grafter had no problem following up from an 8lb higher mark over the same course and distance on better ground in February, too, again largely fluent at his fences and asserting quickly at the business end.

A further 7lb rise pitched into a better race now demands more, but he's clearly on an upward curve, and this course should play to his strengths. He's sure to launch another bold bid to remain unbeaten as a chaser.

16:20, Newbury - Classical Allusion will appreciate step up in trip

Classical Allusion was weak in the betting ahead of his belated debut at Southwell in September, but he looked an above-average type making a winning debut, produced to lead in the final furlong and cosily on top of the short-priced favourite at the line.

He wasn't seen for six months after, but shaped very well behind a certain Constitution Hill at Kempton recently, running to a similar level as on debut under a penalty, and leaving the impression he'd have been suited by a stronger gallop.

Classical Allusion was unable to live with Constitution Hill's turn of foot that day, but he lost little in defeat up against a top-class hurdler who could go all the way to the top on the Flat, too.

There is plenty of stamina in Classical Allusion's pedigree, so this step up to two miles should being about further improvement - he still has the Timeform small p attached to his rating - and an opening mark of 85 could prove a lenient one.

16:55, Newbury - Colori Forever can follow up under a penalty

This looks a cracking three-year-old handicap which will likely prove strong form to follow given it's chock full of unexposed types open to improvement.

However, from a handicapping perspective, it is hard to get away from Colori Forever, who had some solid form last season, and bolted up on his recent return at Southwell.

He was very strong in the market that day, starting the odds-on favourite, and he could hardly have been more impressive, travelling well and displaying a sharp turn of foot to put the race to bed in the final furlong.

That performance was supported by a good timefigure, while his performance can be marked up further still when taking sectionals into account, earning him the Sectional Flag. He looks well treated under a 6lb penalty, at least 5lb clear on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, and the Timeform small p attached to his rating signals he's open to further improvement.

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