Friday Racing Tips: Key Timeform data including a trio of Horses In Focus

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There is quality racing at Cheltenham on Friday

Timeform highlight three horses of interest at Cheltenham and Doncaster on Friday...

  • Henry looks good value

  • Roaring Home can go one better back in mares' company

  • Lucky Manifest one to keep on side


13:50, Cheltenham - Henry's Friend poised to strike again

Top-weight L'Homme Presse is keeping several out of the weights, but it looks a good renewal of this staying handicap chase, and Henry's Friend is taken to build on the promise of his winning return at Ascot.

He ran an excellent race in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last season before resuming winning ways over the same course and distance in grand style over the Christmas period.

Henry's Friend found the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival and Scottish Grand National too taxing afterwards, but he proved better than ever when beating The Changing Man on return last month.

There was plenty to like about his attitude that day, finding plenty to see off the strong-travelling runner-up, who has boosted that form somewhat with a very good third in the Coral Gold Cup since.

Henry's Friend was given the Horse In Focus Flag following his performance that day, marking himself out as one to look out for next time and, given he's sure to be suited by this step back up in trip, he makes a fair bit of appeal from just 3lb higher.


14:33, Doncaster - Roaring Home on a good mark

Roaring Home made a winning start over hurdles in a weak event last season and, though she didn't really build on that, she has looked an improved model this season, and caught the eye up against the boys at Warwick last month.

She appreciated the step back up in trip, making good progress out wide before two out but never able to get on terms with the more positively-ridden, very progressive winner who got first run to some extent - she has the Horse In Focus Flag as a result.

There is enough stamina in her pedigree to suggest she'll be suited by this move up to three miles, while she also shapes like she'll appreciate it, and she makes plenty of appeal back against her own sex, more than capable of defying this mark returned to a more galloping track.


15:35, Cheltenham - More to come from Lucky Manifest

Lucky Manifest quickly dispelled the disappointment of his debut for James Ewart when opening his account for that yard in a novice at Kelso in May.

That wasn't the deepest race, but he proved himself very well handicapped when following up on his stable and handicap debut at the same course in October. He looked quite a way ahead of his mark on that occasion, looming up entering the straight, and displaying a nice turn of foot on the run-in.

Lucky Manifest wasn't able to complete a hat-trick in a better handicap at the November meeting, but he was 9lb higher in a tougher race and was far from disgraced in finding only another progressive rival who has won again since too strong.

He is in another competitive race now, but he's one to keep on the right side - he's another with the Horse In Focus Flag - and now moving up further in trip, which promises to suit, he still appeals as being ahead of his mark despite another 5lb rise in the weights.


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Recommended bets

Back Henry's Friend in the 13:50 at Cheltenham @ 7/18.00

Back Roaring Home in the 14:33 at Doncaster @ 15/82.88

Back Lucky Manifest in the 15:35 at Cheltenham @ 11/43.75

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