Trainer operating at 44 per cent strike-rate this year sends one horse to Southwell - Thursday's punting pointers

Chelmsford: steady performer can go well

Richard Hughes registered a career-best tally of winners last year and saddles the consistent Samra Star in the feature 1m2f handicap (8.00).

Hughes had 64 winners in 2024, one of which came courtesy of Samra Star, who scored at Wolverhampton in August. 

The four-year-old was beaten only two and a half lengths back at the Midlands track this month and improvement should be expected.

Hughes has a great record at Chelmsford and can boast a £52.77 profit to £1 level stakes.

Samra Star20:00 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Rossa Ryan Tnr: Richard Hughes

Chelmsford stat: Darryll Holland poised to strike?

Trainer Darryll Holland operated at a 25 per cent (7-28) strike-rate at the track last year and saddles three runners. His best chance comes with Lilkian in the 6f classified stakes (6.30).

Lilkian18:30 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Rossa Ryan Tnr: Darryll Holland

Southwell: will James Tate's fine form continue?

Trainer James Tate has made a flying start to 2025 and he unleashes a debutant in Noble Victory, who could be up to winning plenty of contests this year.

The three-year-old is related to multiple winners, including six-time scorers Jungle Cove and Broughtons Flare, and eight-time winner Magical Effect.

He faces eight rivals in the 5f maiden (12.42) as he bids to continue Tate's fine form. The Newmarket handler has struck with three of his last six runners and is operating at a 44 per cent strike-rate this year.

Tate said: "He's a nice horse and we really like him but he'll definitely improve for the experience. It'll be a competitive race and we hope he'll be up there, but it'll tell us if the penny has dropped and how far we can try and go with him."

Noble Victory12:42 Southwell (A.W)

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Jky: Hector Crouch Tnr: James Tate

Wincanton: Matt Sheppard a trainer to note

Trainer Matt Sheppard has a strong record in handicap hurdles at the track in recent seasons and Olivia Kate holds strong claims in the 2m4f contest (2.25).

The six-year-old, who was narrowly beaten last time at Exeter, has enjoyed a progressive campaign for the yard and got off the mark in emphatic fashion when a runaway 18-length winner at Ludlow in November.

She posted an improved Racing Post Rating when beaten three-quarters of a length at Exeter and Sheppard has a 38 per cent strike-rate (3-8) in handicap hurdles at Wincanton in the past four seasons.

The trainer can also boast a 33 per cent strike-rate (2-6) in handicap chases at the track in the same period and Passing Kate, a half-sister to Olivia Kate, is worth keeping an eye on in the six-runner 2m4f novice handicap chase (1.25).

Wincanton stat: more success for Paul Nicholls?

Paul Nicholls has landed the 2m5½f mares' novice hurdle (12.55) three times in the last five runnings and saddles Chique Angel.

Chique Angel12:55 Wincanton

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

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