Thursday’s best bets, by Greg Wood
Jump racing returns to Newbury this afternoon with a card billed as a “preview” for what is now a two-day Hennessy Festival meeting at the end of the month, and Snow Leopardess (2.35) may be worth an interest to make a successful debut over timber in the most interesting race on the card.
Charlie Longsdon’s filly does not boast the hurdling experience of Dusky Legend, the favourite, but her potential has been clear in three starts in bumpers, including a solid fifth-place finish in a valuable race at Aintree’s Festival meeting in April and victory in a Listed event at Gowran Park last time out. This is a tough assignment for her debut, but Longsdon would not be running if he did not think she was up to the task and at the prices on offer, she is an interesting bet at around 4-1.
Cucklington (1.30) is another to consider in the three-mile handicap hurdle. Colin Tizzard’s gelding did not show much on his return to action after a six-month break when 12th of 14 at Newton Abbot a fortnight ago, but that run qualified him for a handicap rating and his opening mark of 108 could look generous now that he is stepping up significantly in trip.
Peter The Mayo Man (3.45) is on a roll and followed up a 10-length win in September with an emphatic eight-length success in a novice event at Warwick last time out. He starts out in handicaps on a mark of 130 and should be able to complete a hat-trick if his progress continues at its recent pace.
Chelmsford City offers the only Flat racing of the day, and Brigliadoro (6.25) could be the answer to the best race on the card, a 10-furlong handicap. He caught the eye finishing well from some way off the pace over course and distance last time out, and recorded a good time when finishing second, a length and a quarter behind the winner. The only horse from the 10-strong field to run since – Beardwood, who was second-last – was a winner and Brigliadoro should further underline the strength of that form.
At Market Rasen, Cresswell Breeze (2.45) could be the answer in a competitive Listed event for mares, while Grove Silver (2.20) may be the best bet on the card at Musselburgh.
