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ITV Racing Preview Thursday
Great to have some midweek racing live on ITV with Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting kicking off which plays host to a number of Group races on the Rowley Mile. Also some competitive handicaps from Pontefract.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Thursday Schedule
1.50 Newmarket Bentley Motors Nursery Handicap (Class 2) 1m
2.05 Pontefract Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap (Class 3) 1m2f
2.25 Newmarket British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) 6f
2.40 Pontefract William Hill Lengthen #YourOdds Handicap (Class 2) 1m4f
3.00 Newmarket Tattersalls Stakes (The Somerville Tattersall Stakes) (Group 3) 7f
3.35 Newmarket Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) 2m
ITV Racing 4/1 Offer
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365. Offer applies to first single bet placed.
Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Newmarket 1.15 Rossdales EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes (Class 4) 1m
A tricky start with only 3 of these having run before. I’ve not been particularly taken with any of them so I’ve decided to take a chance on a debutant. ROYAL CHAMPION is a colt by Shamardal who is a half-brother to Outbox. His Dam was a half-sister to Dubawi so he is impeccably bred. He holds a Derby entry and could go close if fit and ready to do himself justice.
Noman was the other newcomer that caught my eye. He is by Shalaa and is a half-brother to several winners including Rhombus and Erysimum. The market will prove informative as always in a maiden like this. Of those with experience Toromona would have to be the main danger as he shaped with promise when weak in the betting on debut and can improve.
Newmarket 1.15
Royal Champion 5/1 each way
Newmarket 1.50 Bentley Motors Nursery Handicap (Class 2) 1m
Just the 5 runners for this nursery but it does look very competitive with some good form on offer. I am siding with LOST IN SPACE who is on a hat-trick after two solid wins at Newmarket and Lingfield. He is up 8lb for his win on the July course and that seems fair with the form working out well. He clearly has more to come and will be tough to beat up to a mile.
The main danger in the race is the top weight Mark Of The Man who also has solid form to his name but I feel my selection has more scope for improvement. Last Sunset is fav with Dettori on top but she looks a bit short against some tough types.
Pontefract 2.05 Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap (Class 2) 1m
Highwaygrey made it 4-4 here this season winning a 7-runner handicap over C&D a week ago. That was a decent effort and he will be popular again but VICTORY CHIME looks the one to take him on with. He showed a great attitude to prevail at Windsor on return in August and has held his form well in defeat since finishing fourth at Sandown beaten just two lengths and then less than that at Chester last time where he was probably too keen. He still looks handicapped to strike and I can see this track suiting.
Others to note include Arctic Sound who is on a long losing streak but has been given help by the handicapper now. Put in his best run for a while when third at Ayr last week so has to be in the shake-up. Dontaskmeagain is up in trip for handicap debut so is the unknown factor in the race.
Newmarket 2.25 British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) 6f
It doesn’t get much more competitive than this with four or five of these having form claims coming into it. BETSEY TROTTER is the one I’ve come down on and I’m not going to be put off just because she’s favourite. 7/2 is still a decent price so I’m happy to row in with her. She brushed aside 19 rivals at Thirsk last time and despite going up 6lb still looks sure to run a big race. Stormy Girl, Auchterarder and Quickstep Lady will be forcing the speed so it will set up kindly for her. She could end up going off shorter than her current price.
Gale Force Maya is knocking on the door and looks the biggest threat. Flippa The Strippa also filled second position last time but 6f will probably catch her out as she’s all speed. Lady Of Aran has proved expensive to follow so I’m leaving her alone now.
Pontefract 2.40 William Hill Lengthen #YourOdds Handicap (Class 2) 1m4f
Hard to be particularly excited about any of these other than DARK JEDI who is the only horse in the race running consistently well and it looks an ideal opportunity to get his head in front. He has finished second in his last two runs and even though up 3lb this race won’t take much winning. If running to the level of his run at York he should take this.
Frankel’s Storm could be a sneaky danger back at the track of her best performance and if bouncing back to that level would be interesting. Floating Artist is the closest in the betting but he has a bit to prove off the back of that Salisbury run so wouldn’t be for me either with the favourite looking to have an obvious chance.
Newmarket 3.00 Tattersalls Stakes (The Somerville Tattersall Stakes) (Group 3) 7f
A race that has produced some good horses over the years and 1 or 2 of these could be destined for much better things. I am giving YAZAMAN another chance as all of his runs look good on the clock and he has been running consistently well at a higher level. The step-up to 7 furlongs and an easier race should see him at his best. He is a bit lazy so the extra distance should give him more time to get it all together.
La Barrosa is the clear danger. He has only run once and that was a fairly comfortable win. He could be anything but I will take the experience of the selection over gambling on La Barrosa stepping forward.
Newmarket 3.35 Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) 2m
A trappy race and a tentative vote goes to WITHHOLD for Roger Charlton. He won a similar contest on the July course here in August. He ran below par at York but was back to form when second at Salisbury, beaten just a length. He won this race last year and should have every chance of protecting his crown.
Mildenberger is fav for Mark Johnston and has won two of his last three so looks the danger. He finished an excellent second in the Sagaro behind Nayef Road last time and has won here before so has to be feared.
Newmarket 4.10 Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Handicap (Class 2) 1m4f
Very small field with just the 4 runners going to post but one stands out, GRAND BAZAAR. He comes out well at the weights here and has the best form in the race. His run at Ascot was the only blip where the ground went a bit softer than he would have liked. With a small field he will go close from the front and prove very tough to pass.
The main danger would be Hawridge Flyer if he is in the same form when finishing a close second here last month but he is hard to catch right.
Newmarket 4.45 Bentley Motors Handicap (Class 3) 1m
Top Rank won this last year and has progressed into a decent horse. FIRST WINTER could follow in his footsteps here as he looked promising at Sandown last month, digging in gamely for the fight. That form has worked out particularly well and a 3lb rise looks massively lenient to me. He should secure the lead again here and I don’t see anything good enough to go past him.
King Ragnar is a horse I like and he continues to run consistently but the favourite looks a cut above and should always be doing enough. Scottish Summit is a strong traveller but doesn’t always find much off the bridle so has to be passed over.
Newmarket 5.20 Newmarket Challenge Whip Handicap (Class 4) 1m2f
We finish the day at Newmarket with another small field and the top weight BOTTOM BAY off of a mark of 85 looks generous considering he is on a hat-trick. Plus the fact they clearly thought he was being held back by his breathing. He has now had a wind-op and stepping up to 10 furlongs he should improve again. The time figure of his first win at Beverley suggests he might be in pattern company sooner or later. Either way he will take some beating.
I did like French Riviera as the danger however she hasn’t performed in her runs at the course and Zoran is likely to pose the biggest threat as he is progressing all the time.
Newmarket 5.20
Bottom Bay 9/4
Daily Double
The NAP and NB run at Pontefract (live on ITV Races) and Newmarket on Thursday afternoon and are not to be missed!
ITV Racing Double
Here you can find our ITV Racing Double for the action live on ITV Racing on Thursday. These are two horses we fancy strongly at decent prices to make a big double.
ITV Racing Double
Newmarket 1.50 Lost In Space EYE CATCHER
Newmarket 3.00 Yazaman PRICE POINTER
Pays 14/1!
