Horse racing tips: Friday, May 9

Telegraph

09-05-2025

There are eight meetings across the UK and Ireland on Friday, including the third and final day of Chester's Boodles May Festival, where there are seven races between 1.30pm and 4.45.
Ascot (1.50-5.10), Ballinrobe (5.05-8.30), Nottingham (5.15-8.10) and Ripon (5.45-8.35) are the day's other Flat meetings, with jump racing from Market Rasen (2.10-5.00), Downpatrick (4.50-8.17) and Hereford (4.55-7.50).
I've picked out three selections, two at Chester (including today's NAP) and one at Ascot.
Ron Wood's NAP
Sportingsilvermine (Chester, 4.10) @ SP with Betfair
Other selections:
Brave Mission (Ascot, 1.50) @ SP with Betfair
Space Legend (Chester, 2.35) @ SP with Betfair
Odds provided by Betfair and correct at the time of writing.
If you already have a Betfair account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts.
4.10 Chester – Class 4 Apprentice Handicap (1m 4½f)
Formerly stabled in Ireland, SPORTINGSILVERMINE (NAP) has improved to win both his starts since joining trainer James Owen.
The form of his latest success, gained at Musselburgh last month, is strong. The runner-up won next time out and one of the pair who dead-heated for fourth has won both of his races since.
Sportingsilvermine is up 5lb (and due to rise another 1lb given the form is working out), but jockey Mason Paetel, who has had nine winners already this year, takes off 7lb in this apprentice handicap and the horse gets to stay in the same class and ratings' bracket as last time. His claim looks good.
1.50 Ascot – Class 2 Handicap (7f)
BRAVE MISSION is a well-bred colt from a good stable and he progressed nicely in three starts last year, finishing his campaign with a novice success at Kempton.
He may need to step up to a mile in due course, but this stiff seven furlongs should suit him and he can take this race en route to a tilt at the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot next month.
2.35 Chester – Huxley Stakes (Group 2, 1m 2½f)
SPACE LEGEND has been off the track since last August, but he returns with his trainer William Haggas in flying form and has the potential to build on an already smart level of ability.
He was a bit headstrong at times last year, but may be a calmer model now that he has been gelded.
The selection was campaigned at around 1m 4f in 2024, most notably finishing second to the high-class Calandagan in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, but his pedigree on his dam's side is pretty speedy and this drop in trip could be just the ticket.
Space Legend will be well suited by the quick ground and is drawn to save ground around the tight Roodee circuit.