Ylang Ylang and Matilda Picotte among today's Irish hopes at Newmarket From worldly-wise top staying chasers to lightly-raced and unfurnished flat stars, this week’s racing has served up some fascinating betting opportunities for punters. There is plenty of Irish interest at Newmarket on Friday at the Future Champions Festival, among them is Ylang Ylang in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile, whose connections hope will improve for the step up in distance. High-class filly Matilda Picotte enjoys her trips to the UK and is looking to build on her win at Doncaster last time. William Hill is offering Irish bettors a fantastic €40 in free bets to spend on the action: 3.00 Newmarket Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2) This looks a trappy affair but preference goes to Audience, who has finished second in quality Group 2 contests on his last two starts. John and Thady-Gosden’s three-year-old has winning form at the Rowley Mile at this time of year and won a Group 3 at the July Course earlier in the season. The application of a hood has certainly benefited him. Matilda Picotte receives the fillies’ allowance and off a lower weight poses a big threat to the boys, coming here off the back of an excellent win at Doncaster last time. The Kieran Cotter-trained filly ran a cracker in the 1000 Guineas at this track in May, finishing third and won the Listed Bosra Sham here in October last year. 3.35 Newmarket - bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) Alsakib won easily at Ascot in September for Andrew Balding and has a progressive profile, having notched up three wins this season. He’s gone up 9lb for that win but the son of Kingman has been remarkably consistent and is capable of being in the mix. 4.10 Newmarket bet365 Fillies' Mile (Fillies' Group 1) Shuwari was a beaten favourite last time at Newmarket in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes when finishing second to the impressive Carla’s Way but should get back to winning ways over further for her trainer Ollie Sangster. Arguably, the smart filly was too far back that day and can show off her true talent today. Aidan O'Brien has won this three times in the last ten years with Rhododendron, Minding and Together Forever and five times in total. He saddles Ylang Ylang, who finished third behind Shuwari in the Rockfel Stakes last time at this track. Connections have been teaching her to settle in her races and are hoping she can reverse that form here under Ryan Moore. See The Fire represents value at an each-way price having stepped up to finish third in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes last time for the Andrew Balding team. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org. Dunlewey.org.
