Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Picks for Newmarket & Cheltenham on Thursday

Matt Chapman makes Run To Freedom (15:00) is over-priced for success at HQ.

Matt Chapman Newmarket July course

Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips

13:50 Newmarket – Gamekeeper (each-way)
14:05 Cheltenham – Flintara (each-way)
14:25 Newmarket – Lead Artist
14:40 Cheltenham – Gilbertina (each-way)
15:00 Newmarket – Run To Freedom
15:35 Newmarket – Alcantor

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

13:50 Newmarket – Gamekeeper (each-way)

ITV are back at Newmarket and Cheltenham on Thursday and starting here with a handicap of over 6f. Back on grass, I’m happy to go for GAMEKEEPER here for John & Thady Gosden and William Buick. The lightly-raced son of Blue Point stayed well at York on debut, and went on to run well and win at Wolverhampton. He didn’t get home at Kempton and I hope they will go back to getting a lead here. An each-way chance.

14:05 Cheltenham – Flintara (each-way)

A mares’ handicap chase over an extended 3m 1f. Nothing jumps out but FLINTARA might have a little each-way chance for all that she is in the grip of the handicapper. Richard Bandey’s consistent nine-year-old is vulnerable to an improver but should run her race and conditions are ideal.

14:25 Newmarket – Lead Artist

A race that sometimes throws up a good one in the Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes for unraced three-year-old’s over 1m. Obviously plenty of guessing here, but it’s easy to think John & Thady Gosden could have another shot with LEAD ARTIST. This colt is by Dubawi, out of a Frankel mare, and related to many decent Juddmonte inmates. Stable is going all right. Top rider Kieran Shoemark is on board.

14:40 Cheltenham – Gilbertina (each-way)

A mares’ handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f. Another tough race with no standout. GILBERTINA gets my pick and appears to be improving after a decent win at Market Rasen last time. My selection is up 3lb from that, which is workable, and hopefully she has an each-way chance under Charlie Hammond for Nick Kent.

15:00 Newmarket – Run To Freedom

Now the Group 3 Abernant Stakes is over 6f, RUN TO FREEDOM is a big price as he’s just about Henry Candy’s stable star and comes here with a rating of 116. He was last seen finishing fifth behind Art Power in the Qipco Champions Sprint at Ascot. Trevor Whelan is handed a big chance and the six-year-old was an unlucky fourth in this race in 2022.

15:35 Newmarket – Alcantor

It’s the 2,000 Guineas trial, the Group 3 Craven Stakes over 1m. Native Approach could be anything, but if it turns into a test of stamina, there is no doubt French raider ALCANTOR will love it. The experienced son of New Bay stayed on strongly when second to Sunway in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud over 1m last season and that was in the mud. This horse has a good turn of speed and Alexis Pouchin has the big ride.

Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing Tips

13:50 Newmarket – Gamekeeper (each-way)
14:05 Cheltenham – Flintara (each-way)
14:25 Newmarket – Lead Artist
14:40 Cheltenham – Gilbertina (each-way)
15:00 Newmarket – Run To Freedom
15:35 Newmarket – Alcantor

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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