Tonight's racing: three runners who catch the eye

It's a super Saturday with top-class action rolling on well into the evening, with Chelmsford kicking off at 5.45 and Grade 1 action at Belmont Park and Santa Anita in the US. Here are three horses it could pay to follow

African Ride
7.15 Chelmsford

It's an important day for Simon Crisford as he saddles Jash in the Middle Park and Mordin in the Cambridgeshire, and he could snare this valuable prize with African Ride.

Chelmsford do an excellent job with prize-money and this £25,000 contest has attracted a decent – if select – field. Crisford's four-year-old, who will be ridden by James Doyle, has won three races on Polytrack in France, including a Listed contest, and wears a tongue-tie for the first time.

Bought for €460,000 at Arqana in September last year, African Ride has some high-class form in the book and may prove a cut above his rivals.

7.45 Chelmsford

Nicky Henderson expressed his pleasure at his team of mares at his recent owners' day, and Coutts Handicap Hurdle winner Verdana Blue is one who could make her mark in either code.

The six-year-old makes her Flat debut here, although she faces tough opposition in the shape of Petit Palais, Wohileh and Maybe Today.

She travels well in her races over hurdles and should be in with a shout when they turn for home under Luke Morris.

Thunder Snow
10.50 Belmont Park

This year's Dubai World Cup winner is returning to dirt in the Jockey Club Gold Cup having been well beaten in the Juddmonte International behind Roaring Lion last time.

British racing fans will be familiar with two of his rivals, although their career highlights have come abroad.

Breeders' Cup and UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn took another step in the right direction when second in the Travers last time, and while Gronkowski was only eighth that day, he ran a mammoth race to be closest to Justify in the Belmont Stakes on his American debut in June.

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