RACE PREVIEWS & TIPS (THURSDAY)

14:45 Towcester Pink Gin has run well here twice previously and returned to somewhere near his best with a decent win at Exeter last time. The further he went that day, the better he looked and with most of these rivals woefully out of form it would be of little surprise if he were to go in again. Mark Grant knows him inside out and has partnered him on both previous occasions when he has won. Despite a ten pound hike in the weights the yard of Nigel Twiston-Davies remains in good form and this nine year old can go close. What A Diva finally got her head in front at the ninth time of asking at Market Rasen last month. That will have done her confidence the world of good and she wasn’t beaten far when last tried at this trip last November. With that in mind she is likely to prove a major threat to the selection and commands utmost respect. Minella Gathering seems to be improving with each run and sneaks in here at the foot of the weights. Another decent run is likely and again the eight year old has place claims. PINK GIN (WIN)

15:45 Wincanton Ballygarvey (NAP) ran well for a long way despite a near eighteen month absence from the track last time. That came over this course and distance where he chased home Walk In The Mill. The cobwebs ought to have been well and truly blown away and with Tom O’Brien replacing Ciaran Gethings in the saddle another solid effort can be expected. The worse the ground, the better are his chances as three of his five wins have come on a heavy surface. This two and a half mile trip is ideal and with him being well handicapped on the best of his old form he can make his presence felt. Flaming Charmer also loves testing ground and is a previous course and distance winner. He has won twice in this grade previously and under today’s jockey in Richard Johnson. With the yard remaining in good form, he looks the most likely of dangers. Dusky Lark has changed stables in recent weeks. He is unproven on heavy ground and has never won over this far in the past but a change of scenery could work the oracle. Vic Du Touzaine may well need the run and Pain Au Chocolat won’t find it easy giving weight away all around. BALLYGARVEY (E/W if 9/2+) – NAP

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