In-form tipster Andrew Asquith provides the best bets from around the tracks this Thursday, including a Chelmsford Nap.
Thursday selections
DETAIN – 7.30 Chelmsford (NAP)
This looks a cracking race and one in which DETAIN is strongly fancied to get back on the up in.
He looked a colt of considerable promise when winning his first two starts over seven furlongs at Kempton last season, overcoming considerable greenness on his debut, displaying a fine turn of foot to settle matters in the straight without his rider being overly hard on him.
That form worked out well and he backed up that performance with another striking display under a penalty, moving through his race with plenty of zest and readily quickening clear in the style of a very smart colt.
It is easy to overlook his final start in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster which was run on ground Timeform described as heavy and he blatantly didn’t handle conditions.
Detain is entered in the 2000 Guineas and Dante Stakes, so connections clearly have high hopes for him, and he is fully expected to confirm himself an exciting prospect on his return to action.
GIDLEIGH PARK – 1.45 Aintree
Arkle winner Jango Baie is sure to appreciate this step back up in trip and looks a solid favourite, but I’ve been a big fan of GIDLEIGH PARK for a while now and he impressed me at Windsor last time.
That win came over two miles where he made most of the running, leaving his poor chasing debut well behind and looking a natural chaser as his imposing physique suggests he should be, comfortably beating Caldwell Potter who gave the form a big boost when bolting up at the Cheltenham Festival.
Gidleigh Park ran in the Albert Bartlett last season and two of his wins came over two and a half miles, so he’s another who won’t be fazed by a step back up in trip and he will more than likely improve further for it.
Harry Fry, who remains in good form, has purposely saved him for this Grade 1, and he remains a very exciting prospect with untapped potential.
JACKPOT CASH – 2.42 Sedgefield
JACKPOT CASH became yet another horse to make a winning start for James Owen and he shaped well back over fences when runner-up at Bangor next time.
He didn’t get the clearest run on that occasion, badly hampered four from home and doing all of his best work at the finish.
Jackpot Cash was an uneasy favourite and didn’t run to form back over hurdles last time, but he remains a horse to be positive about back chasing, particularly from his lower mark in this sphere. The longer trip will also suit and he looks a big player in this field.
NARRAGANSETT – 4.15 Plumpton
NARRAGANSETT was a fairly useful performer on the Flat in Ireland and he has made an excellent start over hurdles for these connections.
He bumped into a couple of nice types on his first two starts in this sphere before landing the odds in a weak event over two miles at this course in February, not needing to improve but still creating a good impression.
Narragansett followed up on his handicap debut at Sandown last month, deserving extra credit to reel in one who very much had the run of the race, looking a well-treated horse.
He won over a mile and a quarter on the Flat and there is stamina on the dam’s side of his pedigree, so the step up to two and a half miles shouldn’t be an issue, and he comes out well at the weights here with his weight-for-age allowance.
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2025 winners
- La Dolce Dolly 5/4 (NAP)
- City Of Delight 13/2 (NAP)
- Godwinson 15/2 (NAP)
- Tuco Salamanca (5/6)
- Siam Park 13/8
- Media Mogul 85/40 (NAP)
- Star Legend 3/1
- Kalium 8/1 (NAP)
- Leave Of Absence 9/4 (NAP)
- Regarde 5/2
- Gemmari 11/4 (NAP)
- Timetoshine 9/4
- Tuco Salamanca 7/4
- Jagwar 3/1 (NAP)
- Penzance 3/1
- Youdecide 15/8
- Pururhandstogether 17/2 (NAP)
- The Organiser 6/5
- Skin Full 13/8
- Millie Supreme 9/2
- Heads Or Harps 11/8
- Party Vibes 7/2
- I See The Sea 2/1
- Le Tiep's Sacre 100/30
- Born In The West 2/1 (NAP)
- Awaythelad 9/2
- Charmaine 2/1 (NAP)
- Henrysbrotherjack 11/8 (NAP)
- Outer Banks 9/1
- Elterwater 5/2
- Glen Buck 10/11 (NAP)
- Teddy Blue 7/2 (NAP)
- Ray Gun 18/5
- Sun Keeper 5/1
- Jackpot Cash 3/1 (NAP)
- Arcadian Nights 100/30
- Leadenhall Street 5/4 (NAP)
- Pic D'Orhy 9/5
- Golden Ace 6/5
- Myretown 5/2 (NAP)
- Apiarist 11/2
- Sainte Doctor 4/1
- Plage De Lavre 5/4
- Aviemore 4/1
- Rey De La Batalla 11/2
- New Found Fame 6/1
- Pilgrims King 5/1
- Saint Anapolino 10/3
- Blue Anthem 5/1
- Buzz Box 5/2
- Dance In The Storm 8/11
- Northern Cracksman 9/4
- Kylian 9/4
- Sol Cayo 2/1
- George's Lad 10/11
- Beauty Generation 15/8
- Komedy Kicks 11/4 (NAP)
- Our Havana 6/1
- Manara 2/1
- Jimmy Knocker 13/2
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