Horse Racing Preview Thursday 8th May - Chester, Goodwood, Newton Abbot, Wetherby, Wincanton and Great Leighs
May 8, 2008
RACING PREVIEW MAY 8TH - Click here for the best odds on all today’s races
CHESTER
Aidan O’Brien is doubly represented in the Group 3, Bank of America Chester Vase (2:45). Vivaldi won a Gowran maiden in July, while Wassily Kandinsky remains a maiden. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by Doctor Fremantle, while Barry Hills runs Feared In Flight. John Gosden-trained Pampas Cat, impressive winner on his seasonal debut, also lines up in the extended 1m4f highlight. The progressive All The Aces steps up in class after a winning reappearance, when tackling 12 furlongs for the first time. Clive Brittain’s Yahrab and the Andrew Balding’s Donegal complete the competitive field of 8.
Betting Forecast: 9/4 Feared In Flight, 3/1 Doctor Fremantle, 7/2 Pampas Cat, 9/2 Vivaldi, 7/1 All The Aces, 25/1 Donegal, Yahrab, 33/1 Wassily Kandinsky
Maraahel faces just five rivals in attempting a fourth successive victory in the Group 3 Grant Thornton Huxley Stakes (2.15). Opposition includes Henry Cecil’s Multidimensional, last year’s Champion Stakes fifth. Championship Point had Spice Route 1½L behind when successful at Ripon. Mark Johnston relies on Majounes Song, while Walter Swinburn will be represented by Stotsfold, who finished one place behind Multidimensional on his seasonal return.
Betting Forecast: 13/8 Maraahel, 7/4 Multidimensional, 11/2 Stotsfold, 8/1 Championship Point, 10/1 Spice Route, 25/1 Majounes Song.
GOODWOOD
The most valuable race on the card is the Empire Property Group International Conditions Stakes (2:30), a Class 2 Conditions race for 2-y-o. Although attracting only 5 runners, all boast winning and / or place form, albeit in lesser races. Willie Jarvis’ Smokey Storm won a Class 5 maiden at Brighton on his debut. Richard Hannon (who, along with Mick Channon, is doubly represented) relies on Icesolator, a recent course and distance winner of a 3-runner maiden, and the once-raced Doughnut, short-head winner of a Folkestone maiden, and the mount of Richard Hughes. Channon runs once-raced Mazzola, a well-beaten third in a Bath maiden, and Imperial Skylight, a poor 8th of 10 at Kempton on Monday.
Betting Forecast: 7/4 Icesolator, 15/8 Doughnut, 3/1 Smokey Storm, 12/1 Mazzola, 14/1 Imperial Skylight.
In, the Gateway Project Services Stakes Handicap (3:35), Hugh Collingridge’s Royal Premier will be favourite to follow up last year’s win in this race, despite a 6lb penalty for his recent Yarmouth success. Top-weight Dove Cottage, along with Lough Beg and Gary’s Moore’s pair of Bridgewater Boys and Wait for the Will provide tough opposition.
Betting Forecast: 4/1 Royal Premier, 6/1 Lough Beg, One To Follow, 13/2 Dove Cottage, 8/1 Bridgewater Boys, Most Definitely, Songmaster, 10/1 Wait For The Will, 14/1 BAR.
NEWTON ABBOT
The “For Every Occasion” Handicap Chase (3:45) sees Richard Phillips’ Lindsay attempt to defy a bumper weight of 12-5, following a recent 26L win at Wincanton. No Complaint, a course and distance winner, may provide toughest opposition.
Betting Forecast: 9/4 Lindsay, 11/2 No Complaint, 6/1 Junctiontwentyfour, Mylo, 7/1 Rare Gold, 10/1 Theocritus, 14/1 BAR.
WETHERBY
The Wetherby Racecourse For Wedding Receptions Handicap Hurdle (7:00) : Gracialina has showed improved form under Charlie Poste, and the 7lb penalty incurred for a recent Wincanton success brings the mare into the handicap proper. Despite a small rise in class, she is already a CD winner, and seems sure to go well.
Betting Forecast: 9/4 Gracialina, 4/1 Mr Midaz, 7/1 Safe Investment, 10/1 High Country, I’ll Do It Today, 12/1 Mulligan’s Pride, 14/1 BAR.
WINCANTON
Holbrook House Restaurant & Spa Handicap Chase (6:50): Robert Alner’s 13-y-o Even More is another trying to defy a “stopping” weight in this extended 3m 1f contest. Paul Nicholls, Venetia Williams and Nigel Twiston-Davies are always to be respected, and their runners, Colorado Pearl, Chery D’Or and Dickensbury Lad all merit consideration.
Betting Forecast : 7/2 Even More, 4/1 Mister Apple’s, 5/1 Alam, 11/2 Wizard Of Edge, 7/1 Chery D’Or, 8/1 Dickensbury Lad, 10/1 Colorado Pearl, 14/1 All In The Stars, 20/1 Indian Gunner.
GREAT LEIGHS
On a moderate, all-weather card, the Oak Handicap (6:40) over 1m 2f, perhaps provides most interest. Basra, already a course and distance winner, seems sure to go well, despite top weight, while Mataram, Art Man and Dushstorm all arrive in good form.
Betting Forecast: 3/1 Basra, 7/2 Mataram, Royal Jasra, 9/2 Art Man, 10/1 Fly Free, 12/1 Dushstorm, Indicible, 33/1 Birkspiel.
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