The pick of the prices on Friday....

Thursday, 30th April 2026

The pick of the prices on Friday….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best pick on Friday’s card at Newmarket….

I’m on SILVER GHOST in the 4.05 – up at 12s & 11s….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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…. the Nifty Fifty – Newmarket – 4.05....

The market has this one down as a shootout between Golden Redemption and Elarak….

…. the former trained by Andrew Balding – winner of this race twice previously….

…. and the latter – the top-weight trained by Charles Hills – turning out with the best form in the book….

Fair enough…. it is what is – and I get the market perspective….

…. but – and feel free to call me bloody-minded – I’m not going to follow it…

My job (self-regulated) is – whenever or wherever possible – to dig out a decent bet at a nice price….

…. and the one I’m minded to back is Emma Lavelle’s SILVER GHOST at the general 12s & 11s (there’s a bit of 14s about in places)….

She went off the boil in the middle to late parts of last season….

…. but prior to that she’d gone to Newmarket for this meeting and won a handicap over tomorrow’s trip in decent style….

…. before taking the more valuable Harroways at Goodwood next time out off a 6lb higher mark….

The time after that she was sent off third-favourite for the Sandringham at Royal Ascot – but didn’t live up to the billing….

…. and – like I say – her from dropped off subsequently….

I don’t think tomorrow’s race is particularly strong….

…. and if a return to the track – with some spring sun on her back – sparks a revitalised performance then she’s well capable of resuming progression and getting into the mix….

I’m taking her fitness on trust but Silver Wraith won for the yard at Bath yesterday on his first go of the season – and I’ll take that as a sign that Lavelle has her flat string in good shape….

Silver Ghost is a big filly. She might well have grown into her frame over the winter and be a stronger proposition for it this term….

She’s down to 92 – still 5lb above her last winning mark – but I reckon she can kick on from that….

She was probably fortunate to beat Tuco Salamanca nearly 4l at Goodwood last term – given how that one blew the turn on the day….

…. but he rates more than a stone higher in the rankings now….

…. and the fourth horse home that day – Power Fizz – is 6lb higher with more still to come….

She’ll need be on it first time up….

…. but the track form is a key consideration….

…. and I don’t think Lavelle would send her to Newmarket just for the blow….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd