There are five meetings taking place across Britain and Ireland on Friday as the weekend looms large once more.

Jumps fare is from Musselburgh (1.20-4.30pm), Newbury (1.30-4.45) and Hereford (1.40-4.55) while there’s evening all-weather racing taking place at Dundalk (4.50-8.30) and Newcastle (5.15-8.15).

Friday’s nap is an Irish raider headed for Scotland with more improvement to come.

Horse racing predictions today – Musselburgh, Newbury and Hereford

Enda McElhinney’s picks for Friday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.

Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.

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Horse racing predictions: Musselburgh 1.50

The Mares’ Hurdle Series Final is one of the excellent races on Friday’s card, with a field of 11 set to engage in battle over the 2m 4f trip.

They include Phil Kirby’s Lone Star, who is bidding to complete a four-timer. She has improved this campaign and scored over course and distance on the first of the month. She won with something to spare last time but the handicapper has put her up 10lb.

At the forecast prices, it’s worth siding with improving Irish raider MAIMIE’S MAGIC for the Stuart Crawford team. She is lightly raced and took a major step forward when scoring on her handicap bow in December at odds of 33/1 at Kelso (2m 2f, heavy). She followed that up with another success in January at Newcastle (2m 1f, soft) and a 5lb rise for that effort looks tolerable.

JJ Slevin partnered her in that most recent success and he makes the journey to Scotland for this race. They can make the trip a worthwhile one.

Selection: Maimie’s Magic @ SP with Paddy Power

Horse racing predictions: Newbury 4.10

The David Pipe-trained SHOT BOII has improved his lot significantly this season. In November he won twice on soft going over 2m 7f at Lingfield before he completed at Uttoxeter on New Year’s Eve over an extra half a furlong and, all told, he went up just 11lb for those three slender wins.

He has held his form well in three further starts, finishing second on recent visits to Plumpton and Wetherby and showcasing his versatility as both runs on good going.

He is 4lb higher in the ratings again now and this probably demands a personal best but he’s doing well in his partnership with Fergus Gillard this season and isn’t badly treated here from down near the foot of the weights. Forecast double-figure odds are of definite interest, particularly with Paddy Power’s offer of paying five places instead of four4.

Selection: Shot Boii @ SP with Paddy Power

Horse racing predictions: Hereford 2.50

The mare KESTREL VALLEY made a winning start for new handler Kerry Lee at Ludlow (3m, good) at the start of March and landed a bit of a touch in doing so.

She was racing from a career-low perch of 81 over fences and had something to spare in seeing off the reopposing Born At Midnight with more than three lengths in hand. A 6lb rise isn’t a major imposition for a mare that has won from a mark as high as 98 over hurdles.

Three winners from only seven starts in the month of March is a fine strike-rate for the stable and this mare can add her name to that list a second time with the trip and softer ground favourable.

Selection: Kestrel Valley @ SP with Paddy Power

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