Thursday Racing Tips: Mulholland's Cave to emerge as Taunton scorer

Rob Eddy

Mar 2

There are five race meetings across Britain and Ireland on Thursday, with jumps fare from Taunton, Ludlow and Clonmel joined by all-weather cards at Newcastle and Chelmsford.

Our fancies today are headlined by a potential improver for the Neil Mulholland team seeking to build on a positive recent handicap debut at Taunton as he returns to the track now.

Selections

Taunton 1.40 - Broomfields Cave @ 11/4
Newcastle 3.10 - Zealot @ 6/4
Clonmel 4.25 - Trust Me Nate @ 15/8

Tip 1

What was a 16-strong field for the opening British Racing School 40th Anniversary Celebration Handicap Hurdle (1.40) at Taunton has been reduced by two, with Can't Beat History and Mammies boy notable absentees for Henry Oliver and Jonjo O'Neill respectively.

In their absence, the path is cleared for BROOMFIELDS CAVE (11/4) to take centre stage for trainer Neil Mulholland.

He was a dual winner in point-to-points and his recent handicap debut over C&D brought an improved showing as he was stepped up in trip. He was held up by Danny McMenamin and was being brought nicely into the race when a mistake at the second last cost him ground. After that error, he wasn't fluent at the last either but stayed on to go third on the level.

He followed home the front two in the betting that afternoon and looks sure to improve for the experience. He's due a 2lb rise in the rating after today and, with those two live dangers removed from the picture, Broomfields Cave is fancied to deliver and justify his slot on today's Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder.

Latest Horse Racing Betfred Odds

Tip 2

ZEALOT (6/4) swept from last to first in fine style when scoring over C&D five weeks ago for trainer Mick Appleby, making it five wins in six starts for this trainer in doing so.

He had Dream Harder (third) and Freak Out (fourth) some way behind that afternoon and should have few worries confirming the placing despite being rated 7lb higher now given how readily he put daylight between himself and the pack in that contest.

That was part of a truly golden January for Billy Loughnane that saw the talented teenager riding 24 winners across the month for a 24 per-cent strike-rate and a profit of £15.32 to level stakes.

He's had a little break since but is returning to the saddle this afternoon and will surely make fairly rapid inroads into reducing his 5lb claim still further.

Tip 3

Gordon Elliott and Jordan Gainford can combine to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle (4.25) with TRUST ME NATE (15/8) at Clonmel.

The Nathaniel gelding isn't one of the stars at Cullentra House but he has shown some ability and was second last time at Limerick (2m, soft) at the end of January.

He was unable to match the well-back Willie Mullins newcomer Paul Marvel in the Ricci silks that afternoon, but did pull 14-lengths clear of the third.

This contest is big on number but short on depth in terms of realistic winners and it looks a very good opportunity for Trust Me Nate to open his account.