Thursday 6th August 2026
Following profitable days on Tuesday and Wednesday, we head to Newmarket on the July Course for two bets on Thursday. I start off in the opener at 2.20, which is a Class 5 apprentice handicap over a mile. I’m quite strong on the chances of HOME HERO here for Hugo Palmer, who’s the mount of seven-pound claimer Toby Moore. He opened his account at the seventh time of asking last time out at Sandown, winning a Class 5 affair by a length following a drop back down to a mile. He pulled five lengths clear at Sandown with Galba, despite not getting a clear run, and should have a big say here under his penalty. Moore’s seven-pound claim will also be a big plus here, and there should be more to come from this three-year-old. Stormy Music wasn’t far away on her handicap debut for Andrew Balding last time out when finishing third at Lingfield, and there’s likely a lot more to come from her within handicaps. She should give her running here under Alfie Redman.
Selection: Home Hero (5/2) (Win) (NB) – (2.20 Newmarket)
1,2: Home Hero (5/2), Stormy Music (4/1) – (2.20 Newmarket)
I turn my attention to the second race on the card for my second bet of the afternoon, and this is the 2.55, a Class 5 handicap that’s contested over a mile. I think that LORD RAGNAR should post a bold bid here for the team of Ed Dunlop and Billy Loughnane. He has to concede weight to his rivals here; however, he looks like a highly-progressive sort, and followed up a maiden win at Newcastle in June with an excellent effort on nursery debut at Lingfield last month, finishing a neck second. He kept to his task gamely on that occasion, and was only run down in the closing stages to a rival he was giving weight to. He’s just a pound higher on the turf here, and if he naturally takes another step forward, he should go very close. There could still be more to come from High Calibre for Richard Hannon; he was sent off the 5/4 favourite on debut, suggesting a big run was expected; however, he ran a very disappointing race. However, his run last time out at Wolverhampton was more encouraging, and he could have a say if he builds on that here.
Selection: Lord Ragnar – (13/8) (Win) (NAP) – (2.55 Newmarket)
1,2: Lord Ragnar (13/8), High Calibre (9/2) – (2.55 Newmarket)
