ITV Racing Tips for Thursday 20th April from Newmarket and Cheltenham

1:30 Cheltenham

Like yesterday, we begin proceedings with a competitive race over at Cheltenham. This time it is the Mares Hurdle Final handicap hurdle with 23 runners set to line-up.

I like LIME DROP (40/1) EW here at a big price. She has been a little bit and miss in her three starts this season but if she could return to somewhere near her earlier season form, she’d be fancied to run a big race off a mark of 114. Her second placed effort off this mark at Newbury over Christmas was encouraging enough to suggest she’s capable of hitting the frame at least. She’s had a nice break since a poor effort last time out at Exeter and that will have hopefully freshened her up nicely. The ground will be ideal and the strong pace will suit her held up running style.

1:50 Newmarket

The 1:50 from Newmarket is a 6f handicap contest.

I like KERDOS (5/1) in here who could arguably be coming into this contest unbeaten. He won both his career starts as a 2 year-old last season easily enough and was only caught close to home on seasonal return at Lingfield last month. He’ll come on for that return and I think the return to turf today will be a bonus. A mark of 92 looks fine.

2:25 Newmarket

The 2:25 race from Newmarket is the Wood Dutton Maiden Stakes over the mile.

It’s hard to bullish here but NEW BUSINESS (5/2) looks the part on paper and the early market vibes are encouraging. He is a son of Sea The Stars hailing from the Andrew Balding yard. Oisin Murphy is jocked up and from stall 9, he should be able to get close enough to the rail to help him on debut.

3:00 Newmarket

Next up from Newmarket is the Abernant Stakes, a Group 3 over the 6f trip.

I like EHRAZ (6/1) in here. He’s always threatened to be a really good sprinter and he strikes me at the type of horse that will get better with age. He won a three runner-race to boost his confident to end his 2022 campaign. He returned to action at Doncaster earlier this month and made a pleasing comeback finishing third. The deep ground that day wouldn’t have suited him and now returning to a better surface with that run under his belt, I expect a bold bid.

3:35 Newmarket

The final race on ITV is the feature of the week, the Group 3 Craven Stakes, a race for the 3 year-olds over the mile.

I think THE FOXES (7/2) NAP continues to be underrated. He was highly thought of as a two-year old and despite being well-backed on debut he could only finish fourth. He then ran poorly on his next start at Ascot but I think he was just raw and in need of the experience. He came on plenty for that and won his next two starts well at Goodwood and here at Newmarket at Group 2 level. That was a decent effort last time out in the Royal Lodge beaten Dubai Mile comfortably and the fact he’s proven he handles undulating tracks such at here and at Goodwood is really encouraging. I think he will run a big race.

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