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Horse Racing

Friendly Soul to underline Classic claims

May 2024

Friendly Soul can complete a hat-trick in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes and give John and Thady Gosden a third consecutive victory in the race.

Following in the footsteps of Emily Upjohn and Soul Sister, Friendly Soul can stake her Oaks claims on the Knavesmire and will hope to follow the route of Musidora and Oaks glory that Soul Sister took last season.

Friendly Soul won on her racecourse debut over a mile on the all-weather at Kempton in December before stepping up in class in Listed company in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

Going up in distance to 2000m at Newmarket, she got the better of odds-on favourite Kalpana to come home 1.25-lengths clear.

The extended 2000m at York on likely similar ground to that Newmarket win should pose no problems for the Kingman filly and see the stable strike for a ninth time overall in the race.

Azure Blue will look for back-to-back 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes victories.

The five-year-old makes her seasonal debut in the Group Two race and will look to put a disappointing run in the July Cup behind her.

Off the track for 305 days since that Newmarket run, when she trailed in sixth in the eight-runner field, she will be refreshed and can return to the sort of form that saw her run out a 0.5-length winner over Highfield Princess on the Knavesmire last season.

A three-time stakes winner, the Michael Dods-trained mare will reoppose Art Power and Khaadem from the July Cup and will hope possible faster ground can help reverse that form.

Crystal Delight can make it two out of two for trainer Harry Eustace in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap.

The five-year-old gelding was previously trained by William Jarvis and made an immediate impact for his new handler last month over 2000m at Epsom.

The step back up to 2400m should hold no concerns despite a 9lb rise in the weights.

Chairmanoftheboard was unlucky on his last two starts to only be placed and the Churchill Tyres Handicap gives him the opportunity to return to winning ways.

After a lacklustre start at Newmarket last time out, he finished strongly to be beaten 1.5-lengths in third, adding to a previous head defeat to Wiltshire at Newbury when he was just headed on the line.

A 1lb rise will not hold him back and he looks a likely type for Jack Channon.

Elmonjed is seeking to maintain is 100 per cent record in the Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap.

The son of Blue Point has shown plenty of ability so far and he can follow up victories at Lingfield and Haydock for Jim Crowley and William Haggas.

At Ffos Las, Pentire Head is well placed to break his maiden in the AK Bets Watch All UK Racing Handicap Hurdle. Placed in six of his eight starts, he can come on for his second last time out at Taunton. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 15.00 Dexterity, Race 2: 15.30 Manuelito, Race 3: 16.00 Pentire Head, Race 4: 16.30 Halifax, Race 5: 17.00 New Found Fame, Race 6: 17.30 Silver In Disguise, Race 7: 18.05 Ballyrashane.

YORK: Race 1: 15.15 Crystal Delight, Race 2: 15.45 Chairmanoftheboard, Race 3: 16.15 Azure Blue, Race 4: 16.45 FRIENDLY SOUL (NAP), Race 5: 17.15 Elmonjed, Race 6: 17.45 King of Light, Race 7: 18.20 Bringbackmemories.

BATH: Race 1: 18.00 Lion Ring, Race 2: 18.35 Candy, Race 3: 19.10 Arabian Rose, Race 4: 19.40 Hatadora, Race 5: 20.10 Dee's Dream, Race 6: 20.40 Virtual Hug, Race 7: 21.10 Our Papa Smurf, Race 8: 21.40 Golden Phase.

PERTH: Race 1: 18.50 Bishop Hill, Race 2: 19.22 Galunggung, Race 3: 19.52 Bollin Matilda, Race 4: 20.22 Return Fire, Race 5: 20.52 Shanroe Street, Race 6: 21.22 Be The Difference.

DOUBLE: Azure Blue and Friendly Soul (York, Races 3 and 4).

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