Friday tips from Katie Midwinter: 40-1 and 33-1 picks among six selections

The Bookkeeper ran well in his only previous start in handicap company, finishing third to Sword Salute in a competitive 18-runner contest at Glorious Goodwood when rated 2lb lower on a mark of 81.

He was far from disgraced when sixth of 20 juveniles in the valuable Harry's Half Million by Goffs at the Sky Bet York Ebor Festival subsequently, putting in a creditable effort at odds of 80-1 behind dual Group One-winning Sun Goddess, when only three-lengths behind runner-up Battle Fever.

Earlier in the season, the son of Sioux Nation, who was purchased for £75,000 as a yearling, had featured in contests won by Orthodox and Hickory Lad respectively, as well as landing his maiden over 7f at Haydock.

The step back up to this distance should suit and he appears on a workable mark, capable of showing further progression in only his sixth career start having already shaped with plenty of promise.

Course winner Catching The Moon landed Group Three honours at this meeting twelve months ago in only her third career start, recording successive wins following a maiden success at Beverley. She earned herself a mark of 98 for the Stakes level success, shaping with great promise during her debut campaign.

At the beginning of this current campaign, things didn't pan out favourably for the No Nay Never filly as she was well-beaten in both of her first two starts. She showed significant improvement when an eye-catching fourth to America Queen in a Listed Pontefract contest last month, however, running on strongly having looked unlikely to feature earlier on in the race.

If able to take another step forward back in these familiar surroundings, the Richard and Peter Fahey-trained filly could outrun her odds. She has form at a higher level at this venue, and is from a good family, related to a number of black-type achievers, therefore may be worth keeping onside at the early price of 33-1.

Irish-raider Focaccia is another filly who could outrun her odds in the hands of Classic-winning rider Saffie Osborne for Fozzy Stack. She brings Listed form into the race on the back of a third-placed effort at Cork to Likedbymike, and could be overlooked at the early price of 40-1. 

The three-year-old daughter of Kodiac has amassed some valuable experience this year and has put in a number of creditable efforts. She has shown a good enough level of form to suggest she can hold her own with a favourable trip in this competitive sprint and shouldn't be discounted for a yard that has a noteworthy record in British Stakes races.

Course-and-distance winner Rousing Encore has been inconsistent of late but is back on his last winning mark of 82 when successful here twelve months ago. He has been able to make the frame in competitive handicaps from a higher rating since then, and, with course experience in his favour, should be able to make his presence felt if on a going day under regular rider James Sullivan.

Trained by Ruth Carr, the experienced six-year-old can often outrun his odds in big-field handicaps and warrants each-way consideration as he bids for a seventh win in his 52nd start. He has form figures of 21813 at Ayr, and could go well in familiar surroundings.

Three-year-old colt Northern Champion shouldn't be discounted as the outsider of the field at the early 33-1 under Kieran Shoemark in this 7f Listed contest. He has previous winning form over Catullus, who is a much shorter price in comparison, when the pair met at Meydan earlier this year, where he defied odds of 25-1 to win before doubling up with victory over Maximized in his subsequent run, pulling further clear of Catullus on that occasion.

On debut at Deauville, the son of Wootton Bassett beat a good field which included River Card, a subsequent winner over Maltese Cross who makes appeal later on this card, as well as Lommi, a Group Three winner since, and Jabracadabra, a recent Listed winner who has finished second in Group Three company at Longchamp.

The Ed Walker-trained contender claimed Listed honours of his own at Chester in July, and, although he hasn't been seen to best effect in two starts since, may be capable of a better showing. He has shown a high level of ability in the past and enough talent to suggest he can be competitive in this contest if returning to his best, and, at huge odds, could be worth keeping the faith in.

Brian Meehan-trained River Card is unexposed in only his fifth career start and should take a step forward for his recent return to action at this venue when fourth to well-backed winner Abundant. It was a promising run following a 326-day break in his first outing of the campaign, and he could shape fitter for the run and resume his progression.

Last season, the son of Hello Youmzain chased home Northern Champion on debut in Deauville before beating a high-class field including subsequent Group One winner and Betfred Derby runner-up Maltese Cross, now 103-rated Lost Boys, unbeaten since with successes in the London Gold Cup and Golden Gates Stakes, future winner Echo Of Stars, and current 94-rated Study Of Words.

A mark of 86 appears lenient in retrospect of his juvenile form, and, although he has to prove he still retains ability and has progressed from his debut campaign, his latest run was encouraging and the step up to a mile-and-a-quarter could bring out further improvement.