Today's Tips

Professional tipster Ben Merritt gives his thoughts on today's racing...

1.20 Ayr- THUNDER ROAR 13/2 (Next Best)

THUNDER ROAR won this race fairly comfortably last year, fending off THEORYOFEVERYTHING, and looks to have been laid out for it once more. A horse that needs the ground soft, he's had no racing for the majority of the season, until last time out at Ripon. Returning off a break of 87 days on that occasion, he was held up out the back and never asked to get involved, under no more than a hands and heels ride. That run saw him get a 3lb drop in the weights, which puts him 3lb lower than when victorious in this last year. There have been multiple winners of this in the past, he hits all the trends once more for a typical winner, the ground will be perfect and the booking of Marquand looks a significant one. These trainers have only ever booked Tom once in the past, that horse was a winner. It's also worth noting that he was in cheek pieces last time out, he hates them, which adds a bit more substance to the theory that he was sent out to win. They're off today and, hopefully, so are the handbrakes.

4.52 Chester - DIVINE LIBRA 6/1 (NAP)

‌DIVINE LIBRA is well overdue a win and a horse that I think I've got all wrong. I backed him at Goodwood two starts ago, in first time blinkers, because I thought he needed a track like that. I still think he does, and Chester is another which keeps horses minds occupied, but he hated the ground and hated the headgear. Those blinkers were quickly despatched and he should be so much happier on this softer ground. A multiple course winner here (2 of his 3 career wins have come at this track, the other was another sharp track in Catterick). He's also won twice from 4 starts on soft and heavy going, so clearly prefers a bit of cut. His career best runs have come at this track, both in victory and defeat, and he's dropped into a Class 4 race for the first time in over 3 years, with the last two runs seeing him finish 1st and 2nd. He's won off a mark of 87, gone close off a mark of 94, so 85 should be no issue. His yard are flying and Jason Watson, their go to rider, is at Chester too.

Want more from Ben?

Ben Merritt has shared a couple of his selections with us this week, but that's just a small sample of what is available through The Racing Analyst. His full service includes regular tips, analysis and insight throughout the week.

Racing Weekly readers can also take advantage of an exclusive offer: 20% off plus your first month free using promo code OLDGOLD.

👉 Visit The Racing Analyst