Best Bets: Friday 4 January

Manks Pollyanna (Trap 3) - 15.19 Monmore

MANKS POLLYANNA (T3) doesn’t look totally straightforward, but the plus side of that is she is probably better than the A5 grade she is currently in (did win at this level last month). The 15.19 contest at Monmore looks a run-of-the-mill race of its type so she’s well worth a bet.

Take Kerr Janny (Trap 6) - 15.39 Monmore

TAKE KERR JANNY (T6) isn’t blessed with early pace and as such is prone to quiet spells of form, but he was contesting A3 races at Monmore during the summer and now finds himself at A6 level (15.39). He would have finished closer on Boxing Day without a bump at the first bend and consequently showed enough to think he’s back in good order.

Hollygate Star (Trap 6) - 20.44 Nottingham

Later at Nottingham, there’s hardly a more reliable graded performer on the circuit than HOLLYGATE STAR (T6) given he very rarely deviates from A2 company. While we clearly know where we stand with him, the fact he goes unpenalised for a strong-running performance when cutting the opposition down in this grade last week augurs well for his follow-up bid at 20.44.