The opening Friday Night Live fixture of the new-look series is set for Wolverhampton on 9th January. A capacity crowd is likely to brave the conditions in the Black Country for the first of a five-fixture evening programme, which is aimed exclusively at those aged between 18 and 25.
We have gone through the races televised on Friday and have picked out our ITV horse racing tips. You can find our selections, an ITV Racing Accumulator, and the best bookmaker offers here.
Our acca for the Friday Night Live ITV coverage includes three selections from Wolverhampton. Back this 3-leg ITV accumulator for Friday:
A six-furlong handicap kicks off Friday Night Live coverage on ITV4. Justcallmepete is a likable contender for the in-form Tony Carroll stable, having won nine from 34 on the all-weather.
He has won on his last three starts over six furlongs, and was only narrowly denied over course and distance when just under a length behind Lipsink in October. Chasing a four-timer, and yard form is a big plus.
Aiming High should relish this longer trip for the red-hot David Simcock yard on Friday.
The seven-year-old mare was better than her seventh place at Wolves suggested last time out, getting caught in traffic at a crucial stage.
She’s likely to be delivered late, but she’s a winner over course and distance, and seen to best effect when scoring over a mile and four at Lingfield in September.
I Still Have Faith looks like a value play at big odds in the 18:30 at Wolves. The Stuart Williams yard is in reliable form, striking at 24%, and seven furlongs could be the key for this six-year-old gelding.
He was last seen struggling to get home in a red-hot handicap at York in October, and this drop back in trip is a big plus. He was last seen over seven furlongs, finishing a close second behind Rainbow Nebula at Ascot.
A first start on the all-weather poses a question, but if handling the surface, she is on a good mark.
The consistent Ziggy’s Condor should have leading claims for the Richard Fahey yard in the 19:00. He ran to form when third off this mark over six furlongs at Wolverhampton last month, finishing just two lengths behind King Of Bears.
The step back up to seven furlongs is a plus, having previously run a career-best effort over the trip when fourth in a 21-runner handicap at York in October.
Monsieur Kodi looks a well-handicapped runner for the Richard Fahey yard in the 19:30. The seven-year-old ran well over six furlongs at Newcastle in late December, finishing just over a length behind Bright.
Has finished in the top three on each of his last four starts. Has previously won on the all-weather, and the application of cheekpieces could sharpen him up to take advantage of this mark.
Mollie Foster is one of the most progressive types in the 20:00 for the Mark Loughnane yard. Cieren Fallon is an eye-catching booking for this four-year-old’s stable debut.
She was a winner over a mile on the all-weather at Southwell in mid-October, and typically runs well after a break. Should be suited by this trip, and has plenty going in her favour to run a big race.
ITV’s final race on Friday could be taken by My Fermoy. The four-year-old for Denis Coakley has won once from five starts on the all-weather, and has finished outside of the top three on just one occasion.
Ran well for a long way last month before being narrowly denied by Duke’s Command. This drop back in trip should suit his chances, having previously won well at this level over course and distance in November.
Progressive, and the return of Rob Hornby aboard is a plus.
