Friday Racing Tips: Timeform's trio to back including a Nap selection at Ascot

16:05 Ascot - Al Azd represents strong form

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Al Azd (Ire)

• J: Ray Dawson
• T: Roger Varian
• F: 5-2221162

• SBK 11/8
• EXC 2.28

Al Azd has been most progressive for 'Hot Trainer' Roger Varian since being fitted with blinkers and is very much of interest now that he's taking on older horses for the first time on his return to Ascot.

Twice successful in the spring, including on his handicap debut at Doncaster, he was unsuited by the shorter trip of the London Gold Cup at Newbury but proved better than ever back at a mile and a half last time.

That was when a half-length second to Enceladus in the King George V Stakes over course and distance at the Royal meeting and he heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings here

16:53 Thirsk - Sixty Plus catches eye on Flat handicap debut

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Sixty Plus (Ire)

• J: Rossa Ryan
• T: James Owen
• F: 676

• SBK 7/4
• EXC 2.72

Sixty Plus was in the midst of running up a four-timer over hurdles this time last year for 'Hot Trainer' James Owen and he takes the eye at Thirsk now that he has his attentions turned to handicaps on the Flat.

He looks to have been shrewdly campaigned, given three quick qualifying runs this summer, and an opening Flat mark of 64 looks interesting in relation to the fair form he showed over hurdles.

He caught the eye on his latest start at Pontefract when not knocked about, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag, and heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings in his first Flat handicap with better to come.

19:01 Chepstow - Eutropia clear pick of the weights

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Eutropia

• J: Joe Leavy
• T: Adrian Wintle
• F: 31311522

• SBK 11/8
• EXC 2.4

Eutropia might be just an average handicapper but she's thriving this season and her trainer Adrian Wintle is in fine form too, having the 'Hot Trainer' flag after four winners this month and several near-misses.

Eutropia notched a double at Bath in April and has gone very close again in her last couple of starts at Salisbury and Epsom, finishing well to be beaten a neck by an improving three-year-old last time.

She earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag for that run and is due to race from a 3 lb higher mark in future, so is well in at the weights here and can take advantage from 5 lb clear in the Timeform ratings.

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