An eye catching first up run leaves the Fred Kersley trained North Ridge well placed to return to the winner's stall in the eighth event at Ascot on Saturday.

A winner of three of his eight career starts the son of Danehill Express came a long way in a short time last preparation and is expected to relish the step up in trip.

Tried over 2200m in the Belmont Classic two starts back North Ridge was only narrowly beaten and went to the paddock in career best form.

While marked below that mark first up, he was a key sectional star and is sure to take good improvement from that performance.

North Ridge has placed in his sole attempt racing second up and rates well in this line up using Timeform weight adjusted ratings.

Currently installed a 5-1 chance appears a more than worthy gamble as if priced aggressively we have him marked closer to a 3-1 chance.

Admittedly he may still need this run, however if up to his best he is sure to be right in the finish.

The Daniel Pearce trained Pushin' Shapes continued to raise the bar with each performance last time in and remains a big watch fresh in the sixth event on Saturday.

Lining up for just his ninth start the son of Viscount remains open to good improvement moving forward and possesses a solid record at this track.

Admittedly he only has the sole victory to his name however his best form rates highly and he has trialled well in the lead up.

Currently installed a 5-1 chance appears a more than worth gamble as we have him marked the 2-1 favourite based on best form.

Drawn ideally he is expected to roll forward and should be in this for a long way.

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BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 8 #4 North Ridge @ $6.00

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 6 #2 Pushin' Shapes @ $4.50