We have a busy day’s racing on Thursday with action from Chepstow and Southwell, live on Sky Sports Racing…
3.37 Southwell – Crest Of Fire and Powder Monkey contest strong maiden
A deep Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Maiden Stakes where Crest Of Fire and Powder Monkey seek a first career success at Southwell.
Crest Of Fire is yet to win in five starts but has shown plenty of ability including when runner-up off a mark of 83 on handicap debut at Doncaster last time. He has undergone a gelding operation, and he could be hard to beat as he heads back into maiden company.
The George Boughey-trained Powder Monkey didn’t have the pace to go with the winner when second on debut over seven-furlongs at Wolverhampton earlier this month and he ought to be sharper here as he heads up to a mile.
Regulus Black and King Of Berkshire make each-way appeal.
3.50 Chepstow – River Voyage bids to continue the winning thread
River Voyage, a point winner, recorded a first success over fences when gamely staying on to win at Ffos Las last month and this dour stayer should enjoy stepping up markedly in distance.
Gold Emery ran a cracker when second behind Planned Paradise at Bangor on his last outing and he should be in the mix off the same mark here.
Lightonthewing, just denied over hurdles last time, scored for a seventh time over the larger obstacles at Exeter twenty days ago and he will be popular to follow up off this five-pound higher mark.
To Be Sure and Amateur complete the shortlist.
4.37 Southwell – Last-time winners Numero Vingt and Hvar clash
Last-time winner Numero Vingt and Hvar clash in a classy renewal of Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap.
Archie Watson’s Numero Vingt showed plenty of grit to narrowly prevail on both starts since undergoing a gelding operation. The runner-up at Lingfield has won since and this son of Mehmas rates the one to beat as he heads into handicaps under Hollie Doyle.
Hvar landed a Wolverhampton novice on his third start last season and has since joined John and Sean Quinn, while Riley Rocks must be feared having scored at Newcastle in January.
Wyle Cop is another to note after he got off the mark at Wolverhampton on his last start.
Best of the rest
2.37 Southwell – Appier and St Faz headline decent contest. The latter seeks a hat-trick.
5.20 Chepstow – Interesting bumper with Stick To The Board, Trigg and Lord Du Gouet.
2.40 Chantilly – Another interesting maiden contest.
