The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Friday afternoon

BANKER

Almania(2.35 Ascot)

The ground is going to be on the testing side and although unproven on soft, a bit of give in the surface might just be what Almania needs to show his true colours. Sir Michael Stoute's three-year-old's only career success from seven starts came on good to soft ground at Sandown last August and ran well on his only other start on that going when fifth of 16 at Royal Ascot. He is yet to strike in five runs this year but has been competing in top-end handicaps on ground too quick for him and although technically stepping up in class to Listed company, it looks a pretty standard affair.

EYECATCHER

Roulston Scar(4.55 Ascot)

One that will love the ground is Kevin Ryan's Roulston Scar, an improver this year who clearly gets on well with the in-form Megan Nicholls. This son of Lope De Vega has plenty of form on soft, including when romping home at Pontefract in June after being allowed to bowl along in front. He was unable to make the front against the rapid Que Amoro at York on his penultimate outing but still finished an extremely creditable third of 19, and backed that up with an easy victory over six furlongs at the same track. He races off a career-high mark of 98, 8lb higher than for his last score, but his Racing Post Rating that day suggests there is still plenty of leeway in his mark.

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