Bet of the day: Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase

Gowran brightens up Thursday’s racing

Horse racing punters have a fantastic Thursday afternoon ahead thanks to Gowran Park who host a seven-race card from 12.50pm, headlined by the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase, due off at 3.00pm, and you can bet on every race right here at Coral.

A three-mile one-furlong Grade A event, with a whopping prize pot, this is a better class of racing that you may be used to on a Thursday, and we offer our views on how you can mark the occasion with a winning bet, boosting your betting balance in preparation for the weekend.

Our traders have had their say on the race and make Prince Of Scars and The Crafty Butcher joint-favourites at the time of writing and although that should change before the off, I don’t expect too much movement in terms of the market leaders. With a 21-runner field expected, I’d much rather look for something at a bit more of a price.

Count on Conti for value

That comes in the form of Ucello Conti, who goes for popular trainer Gordon Elliott. The nine-year-old gelding is yet to get his head in front from nine starts in this part of the world, and this would surely be some race in which to break his duck, but the signs are there that he’s capable of doing just that.

The selection finished third in this race 12-months ago, behind eventual winner My Murphy and runner-up Mala Beach, and caught the eye with his performance that day. He did make a couple of mistakes when the going got serious, and it’s anyone’s guess just how well he would’ve done had he been a bit smarter, but I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt.