Horse Racing Tips: Boomslang to get the job done at Newcastle

National Hunt racing takes centre stage on Thursday afternoon as the Flat turf season continues to wane and there are five meetings taking place across Britain on the day. 

First off is Bath, before the action continues at Stratford and Newcastle, while Southwell and Chelmsford provide the evening’s entertainment. We have three strong fancies across the day and chief amongst them is a Rebecca Menzies runner who made a successful raid at Downpatrick last time out. 

14:45 Newcastle - Boomslang @ 2/1

Rebecca Menzies runs BOOMSLANG in this race and the seven-year-old had a fairly consistent profile over hurdles, although he had to wait until his 13th attempt to get off the mark in that sphere. 

That success came in a Cartmel maiden back in June and he took up the running two out and was always doing enough, despite the fact that the runner-up was gaining ground with every stride.  

Returning to handicap company over an extended 3m1f at the same track next time he was a little disappointing, but it's easy enough to forgive that, assuming he ran out of steam. 

It was a much better effort when second by a length over 2m4f at Sedgefield earlier this month and the front two pulled comfortably clear of the rest of the field. 

Connections decided to head over to Downpatrick for his chase debut when last seen and it proved to be a shrewd move, as he won by a comfortable margin of seven lengths. 

There should be more to come over the larger obstacles and that latest effort suggests a mark of 117 shouldn't be beyond him. 

15:45 Newcastle - Chemical Warfare @ 13/8

It's not often that David Pipe sends runners up to Newcastle from his Somerset base, understandably so, he's had just two in the last five seasons. Perhaps the improving CHEMICAL WARFARE is the one to watch with that in mind. 

This son of Fame And Glory turned a corner over the summer and has picked up four wins in his last six starts. The impressive manner of his win at Sedgefield last time out indicates that the handicapper isn't close to catching up and more success could be on the cards. 

It's certainly eye-catching that champion jockey Harry Cobden has been booked for the ride and is in fact his only mount of the day. 

That's certainly a reason to be confident and connections won't want to come home empty-handed. 

20:30 Chelmsford - Imitate @ 3/1

It won't be long before Sir Michael Stoute retires, but he could notch another winner at Chelmsford on Thursday. Watch out for IMITATE who looks well set to get off the mark at the sixth time of asking. 

Her first four starts were a bit of a mixed bag, but her third in a Yarmouth maiden back in July showed promise.  

A well-bred daughter of Frankel, she struggled on handicap debut at Goodwood in August, but improved significantly to finish third at Wolverhampton earlier this month. 

Further progress seems likely on just her third handicap start and a 1lb rise shouldn't be enough to contain Stoute's filly. 

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