Four fancies for Thursday: Rachel Candelora marks your card
By Rachel Candelora
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
By Rachel Candelora
Something for everyone today - a selection on the Flat in France, a couple over jumps at Ludlow and then a tip under the lights at Chelmsford.
12.47 Fontainebleau: Dark Orbit
As usual a fiercely competitive line-up for France’s big betting race of the day – the Tierce Handicap – but I think there might be a horse who has been specifically aimed at this valuable prize.
Dark Orbit loves it at Fontainebleau and was a close third in the corresponding race last year. He is now 1 kilogram lower in the handicap and has drawn an often favoured low post position for sprints at this track.
The fact that he is also ridden by French Champion Pierre-Charles Boudot only strengthens his claims. On the French morning line he has been put in at 6-1.
brighton
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Despite being a beaten favourite in both of her starts over hurdles I am prepared to give Oscar Rose another chance to open her account over timber.
Flat, quick tracks obviously suit her (she won a Listed Bumper at Huntingdon last season and was second in the Grade Two Mares’ Bumper at Aintree in April) and as she has shown a tendency to jump right-handed, going in that direction over hurdles for the first time looks a good move.
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With the Kim Bailey stable in good form, Cresswell Legend is taken to defy his penalty and win again.
The form of his recent course win over two miles was boosted this week when the runner-up, Magic Dancer, won at Kempton. Although he is now stepping up considerably in distance under Rules he did win a an Irish point-to-point contest as a four-year-old.
Being drawn 1, Magic Pulse should not be carried out around the turn as happened to her, on her all-weather/nursery debut when runner-up at Kempton.
Given how badly she was hampered around the tight turn last time she ran a huge race and I like the angle that leading all-weather owner Craig Buckingham has now transferred this obviously speedy filly to sprint-specialist trainer David Griffiths.
Rachel’s top tips for Thursday:
12.47 Fontainebleau: Dark Orbit
1.25 Ludlow: Oscar Rose at 4-1 with Ladbrokes
2.25 Ludlow: Cresswell Legend at a general 11-4
6.25 Chelmsford: Magic Pulse at a general 7-4
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