Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday May 17

Richard Hughes rides two of today's SmartPlays

On a day of high-quality action, Timeform bring you the best bets from Newbury and York...

The Richard Hannon-trained Oriel shaped with conspicuous promise on debut at Ascot last week and can register success in the 15:05 at Newbury. Having travelled as strongly as anything through the race, Oriel displayed signs of greenness when asked to make her challenge and wasn't subjected to strong handling in the closing stages once it had become apparent she wasn't going to reel in the leader. The daughter of Fastnet Rock - who, incidentally, was the first European runner for her highly-touted sire - should benefit enormously from that initial outing and ought to be difficult to beat today.

Semeen may be one of Luca Cumani's lesser lights but he looks well capable of defying a mark of 68 in the 16:50 at Newbury. A winner on his handicap debut at Newmarket last year, Semeen looked like the type to keep on side, especially when you consider the reputation of his able handler and the fact he was starting from such a lowly mark. However, Semeen proved to be a bit disappointing on his next two starts, failing to make an impression at Brighton and Lingfield. He remains unexposed, though, starting out as a four-year-old, and it is interesting that Cumani has turned to champion jockey Richard Hughes.

Mombasa produced an encouraging performance behind a well-treated rival at Leicester and he can get off the mark for Ralph Beckett in the final race at York. Having won a one-mile maiden on his final start last year for John Dunlop, Mombasa produced an improved display stepped up to ten furlongs on his handicap bow at Leicester, shaping as if stamina may prove to be his strong suit. It is, therefore, a positive that he tackles one and a half miles for the first time today and, already proven on testing ground, Mombasa has plenty in his favour.

Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Oriel @ 1.875/6 in the 15:05 at Newbury
Back Semeen @ 3.9n/a in the 16:50 at Newbury
Back Mombasa @ 5.39/2 in the 17:00 at York

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