The Punt Acca: Matt Rennie's three horse racing tips from Ascot, Haydock and Kempton on Friday

Three horses to include in a treble on Friday . . .

Persuasion (4.20 Haydock)

The seven-year-old has a strong record at this track and can avenge last year's narrow defeat in this 7f handicap. Trained by David and Nicola Barron, he was beaten by a head 12 months ago and has been consistent enough since, including when third at Thirsk a week ago. He goes off a mark of 87, with his rating decreasing by 1lb in the future, and races off 2lb lower than a year ago. His track record reads 1322, so expect him to go well at a track where his trainers are operating at a 20 per cent strike-rate at the track this year.

Awaal (4.45 Ascot)

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained five-year-old has admirably contested some big handicaps in his career and has a prime opportunity to get back to winning ways. He showed strong course-and-distance form when a very good third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot last year, and made a satisfactory return when seventh in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July. The form has been franked from the runner-up that day, Lethal Levi, winning at Newbury since. He also goes well in testing conditions if they ease, given he was second in a heavy-ground Lincoln in 2023.

Machete Beach (8.00 Kempton)

The unbeaten three-year-old has to defy a lofty opening handicap mark but has a great chance to do so in the 1m4f handicap. Trained by Harry Charlton, he has made heavy weather with his two victories so far, but has pulled out the stops each time to score. They came over 1m2f and the way he has raced suggests this trip should bring out far more in him against his more experienced rivals.

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