Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's six meetings

Thursday's best bets from the Racing Post's unbeatable Spotlights team

Chelmsford

8.15: City Vaults

Captain Howse proved well suited by this trip for the first time when grinding it out from the front at Wolverhampton last week. He should again prove a tough nut to crack, despite not being well-in under the penalty, but City Vaults is unexposed as a stayer after an easy win over 1m6f nine days ago and is preferred. The harder they go the better it will be for serial slow starter Bird For Life. Graham Wheldon

Listowel

2.35: Native Queen

This looks a good opportunity for Native Queen to gain quick compensation for her Fairyhouse defeat on Monday where she got no luck in running. Westernesse can give the selection most to think about, while Blues Emperor and Boher Road are others who could be in the frame. Brian Dowling

Newmarket

4.10: Open Champion

After only four races and an encouraging show in a valuable 1m6f event on his handicap debut, Open Champion can score on this return to 1m4f. Dhahabi is feared most given the major potential for middle distances in his pedigree, while Global Heat from the other Godolphin stable will probably be seriously involved again. Richard Austen

Perth

3.20: Big Difference

Corrigeen Rock is perhaps the most interesting prospect for the longer term but this chasing debut comes after a layoff and the one for today could be Big Difference, who produced a good performance over C&D in July and remains well handicapped on older form. The Greek is not one to rely upon heavily but, if on a going day, he can provide the biggest threat. Chris Wilson

Pontefract

4.03: Lord Riddiford

Runninwild (second choice) continues to go from strength to strength and he should have a big run in him despite another hike up the weights for last month's Thirsk win. Rayong has a fine record at this track and could leave his recent efforts behind him, while an improved display from Showalong would be no surprise either. Lord Riddiford usually plies his trade in better races than this though and his Goodwood win in July stacks up very well. He can register his 12th career success. Paul Smith

Southwell

7.30: Khabib

So Grateful has won his last three starts here, climbing 18lb up the weights in the process. He's high on the shortlist again, but is taken on with Khabib, who's 3-5 in 5f Tapeta handicaps and enjoyed a consistent summer in some decent turf sprints. Ehrmann, who's had a light campaign, is another to consider, ahead of Soul Seeker and Melody King, who have done their racing almost exclusively on grass. Graham Wheldon

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