Racing on Thursday comes from Ayr, Ffos Las, Lingfield (AW) and Southwell (AW) on what is the final day of action in the UK and Ireland until Boxing Day.
Our fancies include a mare who is looking to continue the excellent start she has made to her chasing career.
Selections
- Lingfield 13:50 – Paris Lights @ 13/8
- Ayr 14:00 – Gold Emery @ 7/4
- Ffos Las 14:10 – Fable @ 2/1
- Southwell 17:30 – Starfighter @ 5/2
Tip 1
PARIS LIGHTS remains a maiden following five appearances on the track in Ireland, but after a change in stable he can get off the mark in a weak-looking contest at Lingfield at 13:50.
This will be the son of Siyouni’s first outing since he was gelded. His form in Ireland was enough to earn an opening handicap mark of 80 and he is now racing off a 5lb lower mark. If he can step up on what he has shown so far, it should be good enough.
George Boughey’s runner features on the Betfred Betfinder for this afternoon’s racing in this novice contest over 1m2f.
Tip 2
GOLD EMERY got off the mark under Rules in a maiden hurdle at Carlisle (2m1f) back in February. Unfortunately, he has not featured since then, but this race at Ayr is a great chance for him to add to his tally.
Donald McCain’s runner finished his race very strongly at Carlisle earlier this year, which suggested he will appreciate this step up to 2m4½f. An opening mark of 110 seems fair, and it is something he can work with as he remains open to improvement.
The six-year-old gelding was successful over 3m in a point-to-point before moving to McCain’s yard. He looks to be a horse who will handle all types of ground conditions and with Champion Jockey Brian Hughes in the saddle, there is a lot to like about his chances here.
Tip 3
In what was her first appearance in 12 months, FABLE went very close to scoring on her chase debut at Sandown just a few weeks ago. She was denied by a neck in a four-runner contest.
Nicky Henderson’s mare showed how talented she was in her hurdles campaign. She was successful twice in four appearances. The second of those two wins came over the extended 3m trip at Haydock.
With that comeback run now behind her, expect to see the Seven Barrows chaser step up on what she produced and go one place better this time around.
Tip 4
STARFIGHTER ended a long losing sequence when he prevailed at Wolverhampton (1m4f) earlier this month. He won going away from his rivals in what was a smart performance. A 5lb penalty may not be enough to stop this horse from successfully following up.
7lb claimer Billy Loughnane rode this experienced gelding at Wolverhampton on his latest outing and he retains the ride at Southwell. Expect to see the horse tucked away in the early stages of the race before he works his way through the field.
At his best, this horse was rated as high as 80 in the official ratings. He won’t need to find anything near that form to win a race of this quality, even with the penalty on his back.
