Best Bets: Friday 21 August

ALNWICK CAT (Trap 2) – 15:26 Newcastle

The best bet on Newcastle’s afternoon card comes in the shape of ALNWICK CAT (T2), who is expected to take advantage of some lenient grading. A decisive winner when favourite for an A6 contest at the beginning of the month, Alnwick Cat did well to finish as close as she did when runner-up the following week in A5 class given she was forced to check. Her latest run was a write off on account of multiple bumps and it’s surprising to see her back in this grade already.

HAGGSWOOD TANK (Trap 5) – 19:26 Nottingham

HAGGSWOOD TANK (T5) has made a very positive start to his career, winning three of his first four starts this summer, and he didn’t do a great deal wrong when worn down late by a stronger stayer last week. That performance confirms he’s still going the right way and if our first-bend sectionals are correct, he should be able to comfortably lead up his rivals either side of him here.

NIDDERDALE MASON (Trap 5) – 21:16 Nottingham

NIDDERDALE MASON (T5) has been struggling to land a serious blow over four bends of late, but he came up just a neck shy in a blanket finish over six bends on his penultimate start, confirming he’s in good order. The grader drops him to A4 class this evening and that could be just the tonic for this strong stayer.