3 minutes We rate and ITV Racing Tips from Matt Chapman and provide alternative selections.
1:50 Newmarket
GAMEKEEPER - 6/1
"ITV are back at Newmarket and Cheltenham on Thursday and starting here with a handicap of over 6f. Back on grass, I’m happy to go for GAMEKEEPER here for John & Thady Gosden and William Buick. The lightly-raced son of Blue Point stayed well at York on debut, and went on to run well and win at Wolverhampton. He didn’t get home at Kempton and I hope they will go back to getting a lead here. An each-way chance."
TIP RATING: B-
OUR TIP: WOOHAY WONDER - 13/2
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2:05 Cheltenham
Sporting Agenda Challenger Series Mares' Chase Final Handicap Chase
FLINTARA - 8/1
"A mares’ handicap chase over an extended 3m 1f. Nothing jumps out but FLINTARA might have a little each-way chance for all that she is in the grip of the handicapper. Richard Bandey’s consistent nine-year-old is vulnerable to an improver but should run her race and conditions are ideal."
TIP RATING: D-
OUR TIP: JUNIPER - 11/4
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2:25 Newmarket
bet365 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes
LEAD ARTIST - 10/3
"A race that sometimes throws up a good one in the Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes for unraced three-year-old’s over 1m. Obviously plenty of guessing here, but it’s easy to think John & Thady Gosden could have another shot with LEAD ARTIST. This colt is by Dubawi, out of a Frankel mare, and related to many decent Juddmonte inmates. Stable is going all right. Top rider Kieran Shoemark is on board."
TIP RATING: A-
OUR TIP: PADESHA - 5/2
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2:40 Cheltenham
Catesby Estates Mares' Challenger Series Final Handicap Hurdle
GILBERTINA - 25/1
A mares’ handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f. Another tough race with no standout. GILBERTINA gets my pick and appears to be improving after a decent win at Market Rasen last time. My selection is up 3lb from that, which is workable, and hopefully she has an each-way chance under Charlie Hammond for Nick Kent.
TIP RATING: D
OUR TIP: COTTIE - 7/2
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3:00 Newmarket
Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes
RUN TO FREEDOM - 14/1
Now the Group 3 Abernant Stakes is over 6f, RUN TO FREEDOM is a big price as he’s just about Henry Candy’s stable star and comes here with a rating of 116. He was last seen finishing fifth behind Art Power in the Qipco Champions Sprint at Ascot. Trevor Whelan is handed a big chance and the six-year-old was an unlucky fourth in this race in 2022.
TIP RATING: B-
OUR TIP: SPYCATCHER - 13/2
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3:35 Newmarket
ALCANTOR - 4/1
It’s the 2,000 Guineas trial, the Group 3 Craven Stakes over 1m. Native Approach could be anything, but if it turns into a test of stamina, there is no doubt French raider ALCANTOR will love it. The experienced son of New Bay stayed on strongly when second to Sunway in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud over 1m last season and that was in the mud. This horse has a good turn of speed and Alexis Pouchin has the big ride.
TIP RATING: B+
OUR TIP: EBEN SHADDAD - 13/2