Sam King brings you two selections on Friday, including a progressive filly that should take all the beating at Salisbury this evening…
Midnight Drive – 7.13 Salisbury
Clive Cox's filly has relished the step up to a mile since entering handicap company and there's a strong suspicion her progression might not be over yet. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns overcame an uncompromising position to narrowly make a successful handicap debut at Kempton back in April, before being well on top at the finish when following up off a 2lb higher mark over the same course and distance a month later.
She's been off the track subsequently and was a non-runner at Windsor recently due to soft conditions, but with the ground currently described as good-to-firm at Salisbury this evening, things look to be in order for her return to the turf.
A 6lb rise for that Kempton success will demand more, but the third has won since and the runner-up performed consistently. It's tricky to tell how much more in the locker this filly may have given she looks to keep a bit back for herself in the closing stages, but with the opposition on show this evening, I'd be disappointed if she couldn't collect the hat-trick en-route to bigger and better things.
Odds – 7/4
Rhythm Master – 2.45 Thirsk
Geoff Harker is no stranger when it comes to getting horses back to near their best and Rhythm Master catches the eye in the 2.45 at Thirsk this afternoon.
The six-year-old was placed in Group 1 company as a juvenile but now finds himself on a career-low mark of 94 for new connections, who looked as though they might have got him back on track when an eye-catching fourth at Haydock last time.
That was just his second outing for the yard, and it could have been even better given jockey Rowan Scott found himself stuck in a pocket at a crucial stage. Once in the clear, Rhythm Master ran on nicely under hands and heels riding, shaping as though his time to re-enter the winners' enclosure might not be far away.
The application of first-time cheekpieces is also an interesting addition and at general odds of 10/1, this talented son of Dark Angel could be worth chancing.
Odds – 10/1
