3 minute read

Sam King returns with two selections for you on Thursday…

It's probably fair to say Sedgefield wouldn't be my first port of call when it comes to punting, but Neigh Botha's claims in the Lakeland Dairies & Bidfood Classic Collaboration Novices' Handicap Chase (1.15) look far too strong to ignore.

Oli Greenall & Josh Guerriero rather burst onto the scene last year and they've kicked off the new campaign in decent form with six winners over the last fourteen days.

This looks like a good bit of placing by the Stockton Hall-based handlers and back off a very workable mark, Neigh Botha could take some stopping for trainers that possess a 24% strike rate (10-41) with their runners at this venue. Oli Greenall & Josh Guerriero's seven-year-old has been running well in defeat over fences of late, including when third in a stronger Class 4 handicap at Southwell last-time-out.

A 3lb drop in the weights for that latest effort looks lenient and puts him just 2lb higher than when running out a commanding five-length winner over fences at Southwell in June. That was also the last time he contested Class 5 company and with the good ground to suit, in-form jockey Henry Brooke ought to have little problem steering him to a third success under Rules.

WIN - Neigh Botha

Odds – 13/8

We head to Chelmsford for our second selection and Flying Fletcher appears to have every chance of completing a quickfire double in the betting.betfair.com Handicap (7.30).

With four winners from ten runners at the Essex venue over the last two years, Richard Fahey's runners always require maximum respect. Add on the fact that Flying Fletcher still looks well ahead of his current mark and the fact that Richard Fahey arrives boasting an impressive 25% strike-rate (7-28) over the last two weeks, then it's easy to see why this unexposed three-year-old finds himself at the head of the market.

The gelded son of Muhaarar took his record to two from four on the all-weather when winning with plenty to spare over this trip at Newcastle nine days ago. That was a clear career best that day and with further progress on the cards, the 6lb penalty he endures (officially 2lb well-in at the weights) shouldn't be enough to prevent him from following up.

WIN – Flying Fletcher

Odds – 7/4