Thursday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
There are a few interesting horses at fair prices on the Fibresand at Southwell, including the consistent Major Muscari (1.50), who has made only five visits to Southwell in an extended career and has had a dozen starts elsewhere since his last trip to the track in February 2015. He has yet to run a poor race on the Fibresand, however, and while he might be slightly better at six furlongs these days, the demanding nature of the surface may balance that out.
Clockmaker (2.50) takes quite a step up in trip to 11 furlongs having raced at a mile or less for several seasons, but showed signs of staying a mile-and-a-quarter in the early stage of his career and is on a fair mark if he gets it.
Virnon is an obvious favourite for the 12-furlong handicap after an impressive five-length win on his Fibresand debut last time out but is up in grade as a result off an 8lb higher mark and faces some very solid Southwell veterans here. Play Nicely is difficult to back with confidence after disappointing at odds-on last time, but The Lock Master (3.25) is in excellent form at present and will give the market leader plenty to think about.
Burning Blaze (4.35) had to come from some way back behind Llewellyn here last time out and has fair prospects of reversing the form here if Callum Shepherd can settle him a little closer to the pace, while at Chelmsford City, Saved My Bacon (6.10) stands every chance of reversing recent course form with Bosham in the sprint handicap.
Saved My Bacon races from off the pace, which can cause problems, but Bosham should ensure that it is a strong gallop from the off and Josephine Gordon, who has had three winners from 18 starters at Chelmsford already this year, can be trusted to judge the moment to strike.
There’s tough and there’s Towcester, where the hill gives the track the stiffest finish in the country. Course-and-distance winners with proven form at the unique track are worth a second look and Nalim (2.10) looks interesting with a visor fitted for the first time.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Loves Destination 2-1
Bebinn 2-1
Abbey Angel 9-4
Tuesday
Sea Wall 8-1
Trust Me Boy 8-1
Join The Navy 6-1
Wednesday
The Artful Cobbler 8-1
Grimley Girl 6-1
Rosquero 20-1
And our leaders are …
millreef +12
yasmin11 +12
… yasmin having had a winless day, while millreef was the only one to find Rosquero.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.05 Wincanton, 3.40 Wincanton, 3.50 Towcester.
This week, we’re offering a second chance to win a copy Birdie: The Best Of Darren Bird, a collection of the finest and funniest horse racing sketches by Darren Bird, who has established himself as the sport’s very own cartoonist. You can watch him in action here. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy of the book here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -9.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
