Phill Anderson's tips for Thursday include selections from Exeter, Ayr and Chelmsford.
It’s a busy Thursday for race fans with six meetings to take place across Britain and Ireland.
Jumps racing comes from Exeter – where they start a new season – alongside Tramore and Worcester, while action on the Flat is at the Curragh and Ayr as well as the evening all-weather meeting Chelmsford City.
We have three fancies for Thursday’s action, including Jaminoz for Jim Goldie at Ayr, looking to prove a proper stamina test is just what he wants.
Selections
Jaminoz (Ayr, 17:40) @ 4/1
Pittsburg (Exeter, 16:00) @ 11/2
Blue Flame (Chelmsford, 17:00) @ 6/4
Jaminoz really starting to find his niche
Jim Goldie’s JAMINOZ struggled to make an impact last season, often sent off at big prices and trying a variety of trips from 5f-9f in his first season on the track.
He broke his duck at Ayr (7f, heavy) in October on his final turf start of the year and the way he handled the testing ground was perhaps a nod to his reserves of stamina.
After a slow start to his 4YO season, he put together some consistent runs in mid-summer without winning. He once more is looking like ending the season on a high after a brace of wins at Hamilton Park lately.
The first came over nine-furlongs but, this month, he powered home over a mile-and-a-half on soft ground and the way in which he finished off suggests this extra yardage won’t faze him. The handicapper has bumped him up 8lb for this Ayr return but in his current mood a mark of 63 is unlikely to prevent more success.
Pittsburg to continue recent excellence
The Topsham Handicap Hurdle will see in-form PITTSBURG reverting to the smaller obstacles after going close at Bangor this month from a 4lb higher chase-mark.
Ryan Potter’s runner has figures of 11222 since the start of August, winning over fences at Perth and Market Rasen on good ground, before a nose second at Carlisle from this mark at the end of the month.
He was second over hurdles in September at Uttoxeter, beaten only by a next-time-out winner, and then had that silver medal in a Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Welsh venue eight days ago.
He couldn’t get to the front-running winner there but it was another good showing and, rated 4lb lower over hurdles and with the forecast quicker ground a plus, he can also look forward to Finn Lambert returning in the saddle and taking off a handy 5lb now.
Flame ready to catch fire
BLUE FLAME hasn’t won since April 2022 when he was trained by Ed Dunlop but he’s surely going to get his head in front soon for the Stuart Williams team.
He will race at Chelmsford this evening off a mark 12lb lower than when that last success came at Lingfield.
The Dark Angel gelding has started to find his way in recent times. He was third at Kempton over 7f late last month and then made a bold bid from the front here a week ago.
Marco Ghiani’s partner couldn’t repel Thomas Equinas late on, as just a head split them on the line, but that rival was making it three wins in four since returning to the all-weather so it was a promising effort.
Blue Flame can race here from a 1lb lower mark and is drawn well again to attack. He’s due a 4lb rise after this and it looks a fine opportunity for him to end his losing sequence.
