Metahorse Looks Best at Epsom

Metahorse still looks favourably treated ahead of the Betfred Nifty Fifty Handicap on Thursday at Epsom.

Winner of two of his 12 career starts, the three-year-old has not got his head in front since July last year, when he was trained by Michael Bell for Amo Racing.

Switched to the care of Darryll Holland after four luckless runs at the start of the current campaign, Metahorse made a fine start for his new trainer when coming home third over an extended seven furlongs at Chester at the end of last month.

That run shows he can handle a tricky track and the substitution of cheekpieces for a visor clearly had the desired effect as he was beaten just half a length off a mark of 82. Boosted 2lb by the handicapper for that run, Metahorse should still be able to make his mark.

Shazam can bring up her hat-trick in the Betfred Play Fred's 5 Million Handicap.

A 20,000 guineas recruit for Kevin Philippart De Foy back in February, it did not look money well spent when the three-year-old trailed home last of seven over a mile at Southwell in April.

However, switched to turf and upped to 10 furlongs, Shazam looked a different proposition as she justified strong market support at Lingfield at the end of May before following up at Leicester just a week later.

The handicapper has had his say since then, with an overall 8lb rise, but Shazam looked to win a shade cosily on both occasions, so surely there is more to come.

Four Adaay was not at her best when last seen, but can make amends in the Vickers Bet Apprentice Handicap at Chepstow.

Rod Millman's charge is an admirably consistent performer and even though she was not on her A-game at Haydock earlier this month, she was still only beaten two lengths in fourth.

The booking of Billy Loughnane is a definite plus in this five-furlong affair and a third success this season appears well within her compass.

At Leicester, Spectacular Style is the pick in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds EBF Novice Stakes.

From the family of Golan and Tartan Bearer, this Frankel colt has finished second in each of his two starts for Roger Varian and a repeat of that kind of form would likely be good enough.

Varian can also be on the mark at Hamilton as Botanical lines up in the Racing TV HD On Sky 424 Novice Stakes.

He lost out by just a neck on his racecourse bow at Kempton last month, with the winner striking gold again since.

Teeceethree takes a marked step up in trip in the Keith Bennett Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Worcester.

Yet to race over further than an extended two and a quarter miles, her dam was a winner over three miles which gives plenty of hope as she runs over just short of that here.

- Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Thursday. Here are the tips:

HAMILTON: Race 1: 15.20 Ganesha, Race 2: 15.50 Agonyclite, Race 3: 16.25 Bashful, Race 4: 16.55 Botanical, Race 5: 17.25 Happier, Race 6: 17.55 Spanish Hustle.

CHEPSTOW: Race 1: 15.30 Four Adaay, Race 2: 16.00 Azahara Palace, Race 3: 16.35 Bama Lama, Race 4: 17.05 Fact or Fable, Race 5: 17.40 Dalatara, Race 6: 18.10 Oriental Art.

LEICESTER: Race 1: 15.40 Eminny, Race 2: 16.10 Spectacular Style, Race 3: 16.45 Malham Tarn Cove, Race 4: 17.15 Zaakara, Race 5: 17.50 Pak Army, Race 6: 18.25 Bernie The Bear.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 18.05 Gold Link, Race 2: 18.40 Princess Midnight, Race 3: 19.10 Charlie My Boy, Race 4: 19.45 Gambie Tiep, Race 5: 20.20 Graffiti, Race 6: 20.50 Teeceethree, Race 7: 21.25 Only Fools, Race 8: 21.55 Pollypockett.

EPSOM: Race 1: 18.55 Darvel, Race 2: 19.30 Mission To Moon, Race 3: 20.00 METAHORSE (NAP), Race 4: 20.35 Shazam, Race 5: 21.05 Larrsen, Race 6: 21.40 Sword Beach.

DOUBLE: Metahorse and Shazam (Epsom, Races 3 and 4).

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