We pick out our Thursday racing best bets as another quartet of UK horse racing fixtures go to post across the country.
Thursday’s fixture list of horse racing action takes in four more fixtures around the UK with afternoon action on the flat at Salsibury; while over the sticks there are fixtures at Warwick and Ffos Las.
Meanwhile, completing Thursday’s quartet of fixtures is a twilight all-weather meeting under the floodlights at Chelmsford on their polytrack service. We’ve taken a look at the day’s racing action around the country and pick out our Thursday racing best bets and tips across all four racecards.
THURSDAY RACING BEST BETS – TIPS FOR WARWICK, FFOS LAS, SALISBURY & CHELMSFORD
12:10 Warwick – Bet At racingtv.com Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl4 (4yo+) 2m
GALICE MACALO can get off the mark at the fourth attempt over timber having shaped better than bare results suggest last term.
Jane Williams’ Saddler Maker mare had ran encouragingly on debut at Stratford last July prior to tackling a Listed contest at Aintree in December where she was narrowly in front jumping the last only to fall.
That race has thrown up a few useful sorts and while debatable whether she would have won had she remained upright given she was under pressure and challenged it was nevertheless a solid run until that mishap occured.
She’s since ran another solid race behind Fantastic Ms Fox at Doncaster in Listed company, finishing fourth and beaten around six lengths having probably been given too much to do. This is easier however so it would come as no surprise to see her open her account in a relatively ordinary contest.
1:45 Warwick – Watch Irish Racing On RacingTV Handicap Hurdle Cl3 (3yo+ 0-125) 2m5f
MISS HONEY RYDER achieved a decent level of form in bumpers, winning twice and placing in a Grade Three contest at Punchestown although the Stowaway mare took time to warm up to hurdling with a couple of poor efforts when switched to obstacles.
However, she showed improved form in the first part of the year where she found only one too good at Wincanton in January before opening her win account over timber at Huntingdon when last seen and there could be more to come from her now she goes handicapping.
She ran out a near-two lengths’ winner in that last outing, beating a couple of subsequent winners in the process. An opening mark of 120 could be workable on her handicap debut and she has quickly developed a partnership with Adrian Heskin who takes the reins again.
Assuming lack of a run doesn’t prove an inconvenience then she can get her season off to a winning start here.
Thursday racing best bets. Warren Greatrex can saddle a winner at Warwick.
2:08 Ffos Las – Walters Group Handicap Hurdle Cl5 (4yo+ 0-100) 3m
BUCK BRAVO is taken to build on his recent reappearance success at Newton Abbot three days ago and if this doesn’t come too soon the Mahler mare can quickly follow up.
Dai Rees’ charge is 2-3 in this headgear combination and is a previous course and distance winner having struck here last May when beating Boethius. He shaped as if amiss on his final outing of the campaign following that success and a subsequently lengthy absence suggests all was not well in the aftermath.
But he won readily on his return, scoring by three lengths in a conditional jockeys’ event and he’s too well handicapped to ignore racing off the same mark; while Ben Jones can claim his 3lbs allowance in this contest so he’s weighted for a big run assuming this quick return doesn’t catch him out.
3:05 Salisbury – Byerley Stud Handicap Cl4 (3yo+ 0-85) 6f
MAY REMAIN had a couple of these behind when finishing runner-up to Mr Style in a big field handicap contest at Ascot latest and George Baker’s charge can confirm that form here.
The Mayson gelding has been in good heart since joining this yard from Ireland, only once finishing out of the places and registering a win at Sandown under this rider back in July; his sole disappointment has come when upped in class at Glorious Goodwood where he contested the Stewards’ Cup, but he was never a factor in that race where he beat only one home.
Only run down late in the day in his latest outing he has since seen the form largely stand up and another bold bid looks assured from just 2lbs higher in the weights for this latest outing.
7:00 Chelmsford – chelmsfordcityracecourse.co.uk Handicap Cl4 (3yo+ 0-80) 1m
KHAALIS stepped up on a promising introduction over course and distance to strike back at this venue and trip latest with a four lengths’ defeat of Widaad.
Owen Burrows has his string in good fettle and the Muhaarar colt looked potentially smart in that success where he readily asserted from the two furlong pole to win cosily in the manner of a decent prospect who should continue to improve.
He switches now to the handicap ranks where an initial rating of 80 looks very workable given his potential to further improve and already proven over track and trip looks set to deliver another big run.
There’s a fair chance that he could well prove a good deal better than his current rating and every chance he can strike another victory in this contest.