Thursday Racing Tips: Mayhem the way to go at Exeter

Three UK meetings have survived the weather on Thursday, with Ffos Las having been forced to abandon their card due to waterlogging.

As things stand, jumps action comes from Exeter alongside an all-weather card from Southwell that stretches from afternoon into evening, where they are joined by action from Chelmsford City.

Our trio of Thursday fancies includes Mayhem Mya for the Chris Honour team at Exeter.

13:55 Exeter - Mayhem Mya @ 6/4

Exeter is the sole jumps offering on Thursday and the EBF Mares' Novices' Chase over 2m1½f should present a very decent chance for MAYHEM MAYA to score for trainer Chris Honour.

The daughter of Authorized was a hurdles winner in March at Sandown. Two starts later, a couple of mistakes at Warwick (2m, good) put paid to her chances on chasing bow and she was put away for the summer break.

After 203 days off, she returned over this C&D last month and ran a much more pleasing race, beaten only by Nicky Henderson's Arclight as she finished second having made good progress from the rear to challenge despite an SP of 33/1.

She had rivals here Endless Escape and Inspiratrice behind her in that Listed Mares' Novices' Chase and the winner advertised the form when taking out the Listed Lady Godiva Mares' Novices' Chase at Wincanton on Tuesday and looking quite smart in doing so.

If Mayhem Mya builds on her comeback run here 31 days ago, as she is entitled to after being lightly-raced over fences, she's the one to beat.

15:38 Southwell - Billyjoh @ 7/4 

Mick Appleby's string are in fine fettle in the countdown to Christmas, the trainer boasting a 27 per cent strike-rate from 29 runners across the previous fortnight.

He could have another winner at Southwell with BILLYJOH in their six-furlong handicap that is race three on the card.

The Mayson gelding made a winning debut over this trip at Doncaster on good ground in July and, after placing third in a Ripon novice next time out, began life in handicaps off a mark of 79.

He's 0-4 in this sphere now, but drops into Class 5 company for the first time after an eye-catching run at Chelmsford in November.

He was slow to get going and raced in the rear before making some good progress, only to meet traffic woes inside the final furlong and finish fourth, beaten a mere length at the line.

Alistair Rawlinson - a pilot in tremendous form of late with a 35 per cent strike-rate from 17 rides - takes over and they should have plenty of time to organise a challenge from the Southwell cutaway to the line.

From an unchanged mark of 74, Billyjoh looks a key player in this Betfred Extra Place Race (four places).

18:30 Chelmsford - Notre Dame @ 4/1

Desert Raider produced an improved showing to win over C&D in September for trainer Charlie Johnston and could be good enough to follow up from this 3lb higher mark, but plenty went right for him in the first-time visor on that occasion and things might not be as smooth now with Rossa Ryan taking over in the saddle.

They are forecast to be a short price atop the market and some value may be had in taking them on, with NOTRE DAME for Julia Feilden and rider Dylan Hogan.

The Kingman filly has only had five starts and she produced easily her best effort when third over six furlongs here last month on her maiden outing on an all-weather surface.

Held up early on, she made good progress late and was a never-nearer length-and-a-quarter down at the line. From an unchanged mark of 56, she has scope to build on that kept to Class 6 company and up in distance.

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