Best Bets: Friday 5 January

Bitumen (Trap 2) - 18.32 Nottingham

The Happy New Year Standard Trophy features our first selection at Nottingham this evening and BITUMEN (Trap 2, 18.32) looks to hold sound claims of continuing his rich vein of form. Completing a smashing 4-timer on Boxing Day, he showed a fine turn of pace off the second place to clear away in impressive fashion. 3-4 in open-class company, the son of Magical Bale should be front rank from lid rise and he can too strong again in this groove.

Supa Nova (Trap 6) - 19.49 Romford

We head over to Romford at 19.49 with the PGR On Greyhound.Atheraces.Com and Yarmouth raider SUPA NOVA (Trap 6) who boasts course experience is fancied to make a bold bid. In fine form on home soil in recent weeks, operating as the sole wide seed rates a definite plus in this line up and he can escape trouble out wide, and make a bold bid.

Distant Pandini (Trap 1) - 20.14 Sheffield

Following a facile breakthrough success on these shores in November, DISTANT PANDINI (Trap 1, 20.14) has fared well faced with some stern assignments subsequently, again running well despite meeting with crowding when third in A1 company latest. Afforded a handy drop in grade this evening, his claims likely hinge on holding his position on the rails from lid rise, and if doing so, he can prove too good for this evening’s rivals with the likelihood of more to come.