4.55pm Newmarket Tips & Betting Preview 28/09/2017

4.55pm Newmarket tips for Thursday’s Class 2 race. A small, but select, field of eight are due to line up to compete for the £20,000 prize money in what should be an interesting race on the Rowley course. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: It looks like the ground has gone in the favour of TORCELLO. Now that connections are convinced that he strays the trip they can ride him as they see fit today, which should make him very difficult to beat.

1 OOTY HILL – Trainer Charlie Fellowes tries a first-time hood this afternoon on the son of Dubawi. He was last seen finishing eighth of nine here at Newmarket in the Group 3 Darley Stakes in October 2015 when trained by Roger Charlton. Although all may not have been well, he was outclassed regardless on all previous form. Despite this possibly being a more suitable ask, close to two years off is a lot to overcome today.

2 JAAMEH – Mark Johnston’s gelding looked very one paced when running on into third at Haydock last time out, but his astute trainer adds first-time blinkers now which may well aid his concentration. He did win twice over further in May and June and is heading back toward the same rating now and could go close if the headgear has the desired effect.

3 SAUNTER – Twice a winner for trainer David Menusier last Autumn over a mile and a quarter, he is now in the hands of Ian Williams, but still arrives here with stamina doubts. Last time out he finished close to eight lengths adrift of the winner over a mile and three quarters at Nottingham. However, he could do better at this trip if his new connections have unlocked any of his earlier potential.

4 MARMAJUKE BAY – The only winner last time out in this field. Mark Usher’s gelding ran on strongly at Haydock after being sent to the front two furlongs out to then come home a couple of lengths clear a Azari. The form looks above average and, although he has been put up four pounds by the handicapper, he may yet have enough in the locker to defy the weight rise.

5 AFONSO DE SOUSA – His one and only win on turf was back in July 2012 when ridden by Joseph O’Brien for his father Aidan. That was in another life, however, and he is now with different owners and trained by Michael Appleby.

6 AMLAD – Two wins from ten starts for Ed Dunlop’s three-year-old son of Lope De Vega, but he has struggled a little since being put up into the 80s, with a second at Newcastle on the all-weather last time his best run for a while. Very consistent though and should be thereabouts again this afternoon.

7 TORCELLO – Lightly raced with just the five starts for two wins at Salisbury and then here on the July course over shorter. He stepped up in trip last time at Ascot and wasn’t disgraced when finishing sixth on softer ground and, with the better going in his favour now, a big run is expected.

8 ROAR – Two wins from just the seven starts for Brian Ellison’s bottom weight, but this is a step up in class after he finished third to Great Hall at Ascot earlier this month. He looked one paced in the finish that day, yet he might have suffered on the soft going and should do better here. Nevertheless, he does run off the same rating of 81 again and it needs to be noted that this is a step up in grade.