Another night of action at the racecourse

Newbury Racecourse presents its latest Flat meeting on Thursday evening.

The seven-race card consists of four handicap races and three maiden contests, each well-populated and competitive.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Newbury card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.

The action kicks off with the two-year-olds in a seven-furlong nursery handicap (4.15).

Black Endeavor has risen to the top of the handicap here after a win at Nottingham last time out, so he may struggle to reproduce that form now, even under Jim Crowley, who seeks his 100th Newbury winner today.

Stan Moore’s Zipwire might be interesting, upped in trip for handicap debut, but Rod Millman is having a great season and, therefore, his filly Creciente should be worth thinking about too.

Next is a two-year-olds’ maiden over an extended six furlongs (4.48).

Six of the 13 runners are debutants, so this race could go in any direction, though there will likely be plenty of attention paid to Godolphin’s Leone Alato, who made a good debut at Newmarket to finish third behind talented stablemate Al Zanati.

Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Dark Shore should enter considerations too after finishing as the runner-up last time too.

Do not discount Clive Cox’s Superior, though, who may prove to be just that as the half brother of a smart debut winner, also trained by Cox, whose juveniles are flying.

Another two-year-olds’ race, the third contest is the first division of a fillies’ maiden over six furlongs (5.20).

The majority are newcomers here, making this a tough race to call, but plenty of money is sure to go the way of Cheveley Park’s well-related Tarot, who was a close second over course and distance on her debut last month for Roger Varian.

Equipped with a hood this time, she is a main player.

Ralph Beckett’s Zen Diva is likely to be quality, Oliver Cole’s filly I’mnotinlove might be worth some inspection, while Mojito could be worth keeping an eye on in the market too.

Race four is the second division of the fillies’ maiden (5.55).

Those with the most significant connections are Imperial Ballet, Khafar and Running Hot, all of whom run for the first time today. Khafar makes the most appeal on paper, while George Boughey’s American Flight brings the best current form.

A very expensive yearling purchase at 230,000 guineas, she has work to do still to justify that price tag.

The fifth race is a mile handicap (6.25).

Mick Appleby’s War Howl seeks a hat-trick, having won his last two starts at Doncaster and Ascot.

A reduced lead last time and a further rise in the weights make a three-timer look unlikely, however, so it may be better to hope that Herculeus can recapture his winning form in first-time cheekpieces, having had no luck last time out at Goodwood.

Newbury being a fairer track, he could get back to his best here.

The penultimate race is a seven-furlong three-year-olds’ handicap (7.00).

Henry Candy’s Slipper Time has shown us plenty of ability in his maiden and novice performances, so is, therefore, worthy of attention in his handicap debut too.

The Hare Rail also should enter calculations, having been runner-up on his last two starts and with the ever-capable Jim Crowley taking the reins.

Last of all is a three-year-olds’ handicap run over a mile and a quarter (7.30).

The track at Newbury ought to suit Kokanee, who is now beginning to slip down the handicap, so could be worth thinking about for Ed Dunlop, but Willie Haggas’ Sir William looks tempting too, having won last time out at Windsor.

He steps up in class for this, and should still be on a workable mark in his current form.