There’s some cracking racing across the UK and Ireland on Thursday, with no fewer than six meetings taking place.
Redcar (1.42-4.27pm), Ayr (1.52-4.35), Lingfield (2.05-5.15), Doncaster (5.05-8.20) and Chelmsford (5.50-9.00) serve up a nap hand of Flat meetings, with the sole jumps action coming from day three of the Punchestown Festival (3.40-7.40).
Our Thursday fancies include a filly looking to make a splash on her first crack at Listed level.
Horse racing tips today – Chelmsford, Lingfield and Doncaster
Jack Haynes’ picks for today are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.
Odds, correct at time of publishing, are subject to change.
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Horse racing tips: Chelmsford 7.30
Soprano and Jabaara, fillies who share the same rating of 101, are likely to head the market for what looks to be an excellent renewal of the Listed Chelmer Stakes over six furlongs.
The former has Group 1 and Group 3 experience but only a maiden success to her name. She is also unproven on the all-weather and returns after a 215-day absence having undergone wind surgery.
Jabaara has a similar profile, also coming here having been last seen in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes, while she too is untested on a synthetic surface and has a sole novice victory on her CV.
One filly who positively thrives on the surface is PANDORA’S GIFT and she can get the better of her higher-rated rivals. Second at big odds over course and distance in December, she improved on her return to get off the mark 10 days later and added a second victory at Southwell in January.
But it was on her latest start at Lingfield last month that she really turned heads, exploding off the final bend to take apart what looked a competitive handicap. She’s improving rapidly and it will take a proper one to stop her.
Selection: Pandora’s Gift @ SP with BetMGM
Horse racing tips: Lingfield 2.35
Simon Dow’s RABINAL has an unusual profile, having been sourced from Germany at a low level – money that didn’t look particularly well spent after his first couple of outings over here.
However, he clicked into gear on his third start, beaten a neck at this track over a mile in January, and he was well supported on his next outing here, when a slow start dashed his hopes.
Dropped to 7f for his next race in February, again at this venue, he was always prominent and ran on willingly, predictably strong at the trip, to open his account domestically off a perch of 58. The next month, also over track and trip, he went in again off a 4lb higher mark despite pulling hard.
Things haven’t gone to plan in two amateur riders’ races since. He’s a horse that needs professional handling and nobody fits that bill better than David Probert. So back at Lingfield and down to 7f, he looks a solid play.
Selection: Rabinal @ SP with BetMGM
Horse racing tips: Doncaster 8.20
Life started well for NOVELLO LAD when he finished a good second to Bigbertiebassett at Doncaster last June, especially considering his conqueror that day had been beaten less than two lengths by none other than Rosallion on his previous start.
He then had the draw machine go against him on his next two outings, finishing second in his group in a warm novice contest back at this venue the following month before running a decent race from a car park draw at Beverley in August.
The son of Mehmas got back on track on his last run on turf, finishing a solid fourth of nine with subsequent winners in front of him.
Since switching to Paul Midgley’s stable, he has failed to fire in two starts on the all-weather, but his mark has come down accordingly and he looks an improver now back on the grass.
Selection: Novello Lad @ SP with BetMGM
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