4.45pm Newmarket Tips & Betting Preview 29/09/2017

4.45pm Newmarket tips for Friday’s Listed race. Only a small field, but an awful lot of quality on show for this mile and a half Listed contest with Group 1 form being brought to the table.  Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: FRONTIERSMAN is the clear pick in the contest – his runner-up to Highland Reel in the Coronation Cup in June stands out like a sore thumb at this level. He has his own ideas about the game, but he could win this without being asked a question. Red Verdon may be next best having shown a return to form last time while Best Of Days is an interesting each way contender.

1 CONNECTICUT – Group 2 winner when last seen, but that was more than two years ago. Was progressive at that point and will have his conditions now, but is sure to come on for whatever he does in this contest given such a long absence.

2 FRONTIERSMAN – Very smart colt, however he has the odd quirk as he showed when beaten by Hawkbill in a Group 2 on the July course. First-time blinkers are tried and if he can rediscover his form when second to Highland Reel in June then he’s the clear form pick.

3 RED GALILEO – Rock solid handicapper at this trip, runner-up the last twice. He was a short head second in this race in 2014, but the level of his form shown so far this season would see him come up short.

4 RED VERDON – Shot through the handicap ranks last season, running a huge race when sixth in the Derby having been supplemented. He showed a little more last time but has ground to make up with Frontiersman on their Coronation Cup meeting.

5 UELE RIVER –  Produced a career best last time out when digging deep to land a Listed race in France. That is a long way short of the level that is required here so she looks set for a struggle.

6 COLONIAL CLASSIC – Struggled badly for form after winning a Goodwood handicap last season, she is comfortably the lowest rated of these. Needs a number of her rivals to underperform if she is to get into the place money here.

7 BEST OF DAYS – Not helping his chance with slow starts of late, first time cheekpieces are added to help him concentrate. Won the Royal Lodge at this meeting in 2016, so the ability is there if he can get back on track. Interesting each way player.