Thunder Set To Strike

I'm delighted to see fellow betting.betfair columnist Tony Calvin tip up Nargys for the Sceptre Stakes today, as I had a horrible feeling I'd be tempted to put this cliff horse up again, and it's a relief to have an excuse to sidestep Luca Cumani's talented but frustrating filly, even if that means handing the plaudits to the former Betfair PR Chief. Best of luck, Tony!

One who did catch the eye in that event is Karle Burke's mare Boastful, who isn't the best in this field by any means, but is best able to deal with tacky ground, having shown all her best form with plenty of give underfoot. The worry is that the going may not be soft enough for her, and with no rain overnight on Town Moor, and a dry day forecast, she''s reluctantly passed over. If the forecast proves wide of the mark, though, she needs considering at big odds despite a layoff.

One who looks massively overpriced in the Weatherby's Sales race at 14:40 is the Richard Hannon-trained Steventon Star, who will find the dead ground more to his liking than many of his rivals, and has some solid early-season form to his name. With his latest outing possibly needed after being gelded, he's better judged on earlier form, and looks to hold stronger claims than odds of 50/1+ indicate. He's likely to find a couple too good, but should be pitching for place money, and should be backed place only at juicy odds.

Best bet on the card, though, comes in the 6f handicap at 16:25. Best in big-field contests on a straight track, Thunderball caught the eye when second home on the unfavoured side in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month, and his latest poor effort around the tight turns of Chester will merely serve to make him a backable price today. A regular at this venue, his track record on going softer than good is 2 wins and a second from 8 runs, and several of his defeats have been highly creditable ones.

With the Scott Dixon team ticking over well enough, and a high draw certainly no disadvantage based on yesterday's evidence, Thunderball has plenty in his favour, and should reward each-way support.

Over at Chepstow, Dovils Duel looks poised to complete a hat-trick in the 5f nursery. Always well regarded, it's taken him a while to shake off temperament concerns, but has shown himself to be a reformed character since headgear was removed, and simply looks a class above his rivals today. He looks more like a 6/4 shot to me, and anything bigger than 2/1 is a gift.

Recommendations:

Back Thunderball @ [7.4] in the 16:25 Doncaster (NAP)

Back Dovils Duel @ [3.05] in the 15:00 Chepstow (NB)

Back Steventon Star to place @ [12.0] in the 14:40 Doncaster