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Remind me next time

Some of the UK’s top racecourses are on the menu today with afternoon action from Ayr, Goodwood and over the sticks at Wetherby, while Sandown Park and Salisbury are the two evening fixtures. Paul Jacobs gives his best bets for Thursday below.

Ayr Tips –

2.20 – Ayr – Several of these are engaged here in the six furlong handicap on Thursday, but CAPTAIN SCOOBY has been declared a non-runner possibly because the ground just isn’t soft enough. With rain forecast he could have his optimum conditions here over his best distance of five furlongs and will surely be involved in the finish. It’s true he has not won for some time, but this is as weak a race as he has encountered of late and with plenty of early pace to take him through the first three and a half furlongs I think he is very solid for the frame and may just get that elusive first win for the best part of year with the likelihood that the majority of punters will be out off by failed gambles on him for the past two runs.

Of course in a sprint of this nature there are several viable alternatives none more so than EXOTIC GUEST. Ruth Carr generally has her yard in really good form and this fairly lightly raced four-year-old served notice that his turn wasn’t too far away when staying on nicely behind the in-form Taurus Twins at Nottingham last time out. A winner off 68 about nine months ago, the danger runs off only 63 and could be worth a small saver here and possibly even a forecast with the ‘Scooby’.

Of the remainder, Bunce continues in good form, but may just be in the handicapper’s pocket. However, off bottom weight, there could be more to come from the unexposed Classy Anna.

BET NOW – CAPTAIN  SCOOBY

BET NOW – EXOTIC GUEST

Goodwood Tips –

2.40 – Goodwood – Some fair progressive three-year-olds have won this extended nine furlong handicap in the past most notably Forte Dei Marmi from the Luca Cumani yard. Early Morning and Loving Morning ran in a fair maiden behind Reesha last time out and the latter is just preferred over the Harry Dunlop charge now that the pair have a mark to go to handicapping war with and I make him the biggest danger to the physically impressive colt BEST KEPT. His last run at Kempton Park was a non-entity as the field crawled along for most of the race, only quickening once in line for home which never suited this long striding bulk of a horse.

He needed more time to get organised that day and this extra distance allied to a nice uphill rise for the best part of half a mile should suit him perfectly.

Gothic was a huge let down last time out on what was a testing surface, but he has done nothing to suggest his current mark is a viable one, but Emef Diamond was far from disgraced at Nottingham last time out and has a solid each-way chance from a stable rolling along nicely at the moment.

BET NOW – BEST KEPT         

4.25 – Goodwood – Loosely considered as a late Oaks’ trial and named after Her Majesty The Queen’s fabulous broodmares Height of Fashion I fancy we will see a marked step forward in form her from a UNCHENNA. David Simcock is yet another yard in good form at the moment and this daughter of Fastnet Rock kept on in pleasing style to get to within eight lengths of Taghrooda in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket. Time may well tell us she faced an impossible task that day and returning to the track where she landed her maiden may see her cement that form.

Eastern Belle has been crying out for a step up to middle distances and gets it here so she should also post a personal best, while Marsh Daisy is another with ample scope to improve and play a part her as well in an open renewal.

BET NOW – UNCHENNA

Sandown Tips –

6.25 – Sandown – The forecast is for plenty of rain in the Esher region so the going could well ease appreciably by the time this evening card kicks off and that could well help the promising VENT DE FORCE in this mile and three quarters handicap.

The lightly raced son of Hurricane Run was only going to make his mark here when going over a distance so the softly run maiden he contested last time out over 12 furlongs at Kempton Park was never going to suit him and in the circumstances he did well to finish as close as he did. Well supported that evening he was basically just outpaced and a stiff track and an extra quarter mile look right up his street here. The selection looks the value bet ahead of the likes of the one-paced Alzammaar and Norse Star and Maxie T.

Best of that trio is probably going to be Maxie T, never nearer than at the finish when closing in on the placed horses over a mile and a half at Chester. He would certainly appreciate any of the rain forecast during the day and into the evening.

BET NOW – VENT DE FORCE