Horse Racing Tips: Opening Bat to relish Kempton return

Flat racing holds sway in the UK and Ireland on Thursday with six meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

First off is Ayr, followed by Pontefract, Yarmouth and Naas, while evening all-weather action takes place at Kempton and Chelmsford. Amongst our Thursday fancies is one for in-form trainer Harry Charlton who returns to the same course and distance as his sole career win.

Horse Racing Odds

Fast Racing Results

13:52 Pontefract - Cargin Bhui @ 3/1

CARGIN BHUI’s mark has been on the slide this season, but he has shaped as if his turn is near on recent starts.

On his penultimate outing at Doncaster he rattled home from an unpromising position to finish third behind Papa Cocktail, who has gone close on both of his subsequent starts.

Last time at Carlisle he was beaten less than half a length, behind progressive sprinter Promise Time, who was winning for the third time in four starts.

He has been left on the same mark here and has clearly found his level down into class 5 company.

The gelded son of Invincible Army will be suited by a sound pace to aim at and can belatedly add to his maiden win here with Pontefract’s stiff finish in his favour.

17:40 Kempton - Opening Bat @ 9/4

OPENING BAT looks to have plenty in his favour in the 5.40 Class 5 race over a mile at Kempton in the evening.

The son of Bated Breath recorded his sole career victory over this course and distance in May, narrowly getting the better of a next time out winner.

He has held his form well in a trio of subsequent starts, finishing third on each occasion for trainer Charlton.

Most recently over 7f at Southwell, he pulled well clear of the remainder behind two rivals who have finished second on their subsequent starts at Class 4 level. That looked a strong race for the grade

He will be suited by the return to Kempton and the mile trip, with first-time cheekpieces a source of possible improvement.

Oisin Murphy is a positive jockey booking and Chalrton has already been among the winners this week.

14:00 Yarmouth - Gouken @ 13/8

GOUKEN looks to make an impact on this switch to handicaps with his novice and maiden form working out well.

The Goken colt made his debut in a hot novice at Newbury in June behind two rivals now rated in the mid 90’s and finished ahead of fourth placed Five Ways who has since taken the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes.

He has shaped well on both subsequent starts, including last time a Ffos Las when pulling clear of the remainder behind a promising rival from the William Haggas yard.

He proved his ability to handle ease in the ground on that occasion and an opening mark of 81 should be within range here.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.