Horse racing tips: Ascot and Dundalk – Friday October 4

Both Flat and jumps action feature in the UK and Ireland on Friday, with six meetings across the afternoon and evening. 

First off is Gowran Park (1.15-5.20), followed by more fare over obstacles at Fontwell (2.00-5.30) and Hexham (2.20-5.50), with a Flat card from Ascot (2.12-5.05) in between. All-weather programmes at Newcastle (4.15-8.30) and Dundalk (5.10-8.15) take us towards the night.

Among our Friday fancies is an exciting three-year-old for Tom Clover in the Noel Murless Stakes Listed race at the Berkshire course. 

Horse racing tips today – Ascot and Dundalk

Lee Sharp’s picks for Friday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.

• Nap: Tabletalk (Ascot, 3.57) @ SP with BetMGM
• Next best: Harry’s Bar (Dundalk, 5.45) @ SP with BetMGM
• Other: Arizona Blaze (Dundalk, 6.15) @ SP with BetMGM

Odds, correct at time of publishing, may be subject to change.

Horse racing tips: Ascot, 3.57

The top four in the market for this ultra-competitive renewal of the Noel Murless arrive in good form. But one stands out from the rest, and that is TABLETALK. 

This Camelot colt finished midfield in this year’s Derby but since stepping up in trip has improved drastically and was last seen winning the Melrose handicap in fine fashion at York. That form should be good enough to take this, as he beat next-time-out victor Master Builder with ease. The Mastercraftsman gelding went on to win a Class 2 handicap at Haydock and had previously beaten today’s rival, Subsequent, albeit over a different trip at Salisbury.

Another positive that boosts Tabletalk’s chances is that a couple of horses have clinched the Melrose and then gone on to win this race in the previous 10 years: Middle Earth (2023) and Ghost Run (2018). 

Selection: Tabletalk @ SP with BetMGM

Horse racing tips: Dundalk, 5.45 

The ultra-consistent HARRY’S BAR returns to action at the County Louth venue and should be back to winning ways. He is clearly a star here, as since moving to Ireland in early 2020 he has run 18 times at this track and impressively won on eight occasions. 

This is his first outing at the course since joining a new yard. Now trained by Jack Davison, he breezed into contention at Laytown on his last run, on September 16, although he was tagged late on by Jungle Cove to finish second. 

Harry’s Bar is bidding to win this race for the third time, having triumphed in the 2021 and 2023 renewals. Back at his favourite venue in a contest that holds plenty of happy memories, he should notch up another victory. 

Selection: Harry’s Bar @ SP with BetMGM

Horse racing tips: Dundalk, 6.15 

ARIZONA BLAZE is a frontrunner with some of the best two-year-old form in Europe, never mind this race, having placed in Group 1 and Group 2 contests this season. He has placed behind Whistlejacket and Barbouche, both Group 1 scorers and excellent prospects for next season.

Adrian Murray’s two-year-old was unlucky not to win at the York Ebor festival when racing prominently on his previous run, with the winner Diligently only just getting up to beat him by a head, having given that horse 7lb. 

This time Arizona Blaze again concedes to all his rivals but, with more experience, he should overcome the challenge. 

Compared with some of his best efforts this term, this race represents much calmer waters for him and he should produce a dominant display. 

Selection: Arizona Blaze @ SP with BetMGM