Best Bets: Friday 12 July

Droopys Shine (Trap 6) - 16.58 Monmore

The stand-out selection on Monmore’s afternoon card comes in the 16.58, with DROOPYS SHINE (T6) expected to regain the winning thread. A2 class at his peak, the selection had an enforced spell off the track over the spring period but a brace of runner-up efforts in recent weeks suggest he’s now back at near peak fitness. The fact that this heat is an A5 underlines the scope he has at this level and the return to the outside trap won’t do him any harm, either.

Salacres Flyer (Trap 2) - 18.39 Nottingham

Later at Nottingham, SALACRES FLYER (T2) was beaten a fair way without any obvious excuse last week. That has to be a slight concern, but the make-up of the 18:39 heat looks ideal as the selection is the obvious first-bend leader on our sectionals. There are strong staying types in opposition and this galloping track helps that run style, but Salacres Flyer is a tough nut to crack when getting on the bunny.

Ascot Emer (Trap 5) - 20.13 Nottingham

Another with early zip in abundance is ASCOT EMER (T5) and she rates an attractive betting proposition in the A5 contest at 20.13. An all-the-way-winner of an A6 on her penultimate start, Ascot Emer didn’t do much wrong when third in this grade last week, and with habitual slow starters either side of her, she should have plenty of space to open up.