RACE PREVIEWS & TIPS (THURSDAY)

15:30 Catterick The hunt for value is the aim for every punter and I’m hoping that we may have unearthed something from this fiver furlong sprint at Catterick. Many people forget that Paul Hanagan was once a reigning champion jockey and he’s certainly a great judge when it comes to picking up rides. He jumps aboard Lackaday and although we can see the number seven next to his last race it’s a tad misleading. He finished seventh of nineteen runners and did pretty well in the group he found himself in. Prior to this a third placed finish reads well and he’s won 50% of his races here at Catterick. He’s won here at this Yorkshire venue off a much higher mark and a current double figured price looks highly generous. Meshardal has been ultra consistent this year and has only placed out of the top three once in his last five outings and is bound to be close come the finishing line. Tricky Dicky has a previous course and distance win so has to be respected and Extrasolar went close on his previous start and is also feared. LACKADAY (E/W)

19:25 Chelmsford The three year olds take centre stage for the fourth contest on the card at Essex’s evening meeting. With a field of eight set to go to post the contest looks trappy enough with all the runners looking to showcase their true potential. A race of this nature is often hard to judge with most runners only having a few races in the bag to judge them on. Never the less Alfarris ticks quite a few boxes. Trainer William Haggas is in form, the horse has won at the course and also has the advantage of a decent draw in stall one. Unlike, what looks to be his main rival Melting Dew, the Haggas trained horse will also have the benefit of fitness after a recent run. The likes of Vilette and Pirate Look could trouble the main protagonists but jockey Dane O’Neil should find himself heading towards the winners enclosure with Alfarris. ALFARRIS (WIN) – NAP