Betfred’s Owen McMahon picks out his best bet from all six meetings across the UK & Ireland on Thursday 3 August 2023. 

The red-hot Richard Fahey, who at time of writing is operating at an impressive 22% strike rate with 13 wins from 60 runners in the last 14 days, was responsible for Tuesday’s winning NAP – and I expect him to fire in another one at Newcastle on Thursday evening.

BEECHWOOD STAR is a two-year-old son of Starspangledbanner who was an eye-catching debutant at Thirsk in early July. Despite doing almost everything wrong, he did well to finish 3/8 in an admittedly weak novice contest.

He left that effort some way behind when much-improved at Ayr just 17 days ago, going down narrowly to a 75-rated horse of Phillip Kirby’s. In the context of this race, that’s a standout piece of form.

He’s improving with every run too, so I’m expecting him to prove hard to beat given his eight rivals for this 6f novice heat look uninspiring to say the least.

Of those with form in the book, I suppose I’m Spartacus is the main danger – while I would suggest a market check in regards to newbie Emu War for Karl Burke, who does so well with juveniles.

All that being said, I’ll be surprised if Beechwood Star doesn’t prove much the best in this.