Sean Bowen bids to enhance incredible Leicester strike-rate - punting pointers for Thursday's racing

Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings . . .

Chelmsford: Dashing Panther can race to victory

William Stone has saddled two winners from six runners (33 per cent) in 3yo+ handicaps at Chelmsford and he is responsible for Dashing Panther in the 1m6f handicap (5.40).

The five-year-old registered his second victory from nine starts last time out when defeating Le Rouge Chinois at the track. Having just his second start on the all-weather, he stuck on well under Jack Mitchell to win by a length and a half.

Dashing Panther had finished seventh of 13 on his previous start at Newbury but that came following a long layoff.

Stone, who has matched last year's tally of ten winners, said: "Dashing Panther ran well last time and this is a much better race, so we'll have to see how well he does and we're hoping he runs well.

"He's quite versatile and seems to stay well, which is what we benefited from last time. He'll need to improve on his last run but he's in good order."

Dashing Panther17:40 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Jack Mitchell Tnr: William Stone

Leicester: Matt Sheppard out to boost form

Matt Sheppard is a trainer to follow in handicap chases at Leicester this term with three winners from five runners yielding a 60 per cent strike-rate.

Based in Herefordshire, Sheppard is also operating at a 38 per cent (3-8) strike-rate in the past two weeks and saddles That's The Badger and Passing Kate, as well as Johnny Mac, who goes for the 2m handicap chase (2.25).

Johnny Mac won his first three races for the yard last season, but he has met with three defeats since and was last seen finishing third behind Paddy In The Caddy at Warwick last month.

Sheppard said: "The ground is going to be nice and soft for him, which is a big help now he's a bit further up the handicap.

"He's a course-and-distance winner, which is a plus, and he seems to be slightly better in smaller fields. I think he's in excellent order and I'm expecting a big run."

Johnny Mac14:25 Leicester

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Jky: Stan Sheppard Tnr: Matt Sheppard

Leicester stat: Bowen to deliver again?

Sean Bowen boasts a 71 per cent (5-7) strike-rate at Leicester this season and has five rides at the track including Carismatic Soldier in the 1m7½f novice hurdle (1.25) for Olly Murphy.

Carismatic Soldier13:25 Leicester

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Jky: Sean Bowen Tnr: Olly Murphy

Market Rasen: red-hot Williamson

Jockey Joe Williamson is operating at a 29 per cent strike-rate (4-14) at Market Rasen and he heads to the track for one ride on Thursday.

Williamson, who is enjoying his best season to date for winners, will partner the Andrew Crook-trained Zara's Universe in the 2m3f handicap chase (2.48). Backing his mounts at the track this season to a £1 level stake would have secured a profit of £19.

Zara's Universe has won three of her last 11 starts and comes into this event having finished midfield in a handicap hurdle at Sedgefield last month. However, conditions may have proved a little on the quick side for her as all her victories have come on either soft or heavy ground.

Conditions this time round should work to her strengths, while she has a good record at the track, where she has won once and twice finished second in six starts.

Zara's Universe14:48 Market Rasen

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Jky: Joe Williamson (3lb)Tnr: Andrew Crook

Market Rasen stat: stick with Harry Derham

Harry Derham is 2-2 (100 per cent) in juvenile hurdles at the track this season and he saddles Viyanni, who makes his debut for the yard in such an event over 2m½f (12.45).

Viyanni12:45 Market Rasen

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Jky: Paul O'Brien Tnr: Harry Derham

Wincanton: Hobbs and White worth following

The training duo of Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have a strong record (3-8, 38 per cent) in handicap hurdles at Wincanton and they are represented with Keable and Sunninghill.

The former, who tackles the 3m½f novice handicap hurdle (1.35), has yet to win in six appearances but returns to this marathon trip and should come on for his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last month.

Sunninghill brings some solid form to the 1m7f handicap hurdle (2.05) as he has posted an improved Racing Post Rating on each of his three starts since joining the yard. He has form figures of 432 in those runs and this looks a good opportunity for him to get off the mark.

Last-time-out winner Langley Hundred – who scored by a neck from Faded Fantasy at Hereford last month – and I See The Sea also feature for the yard at the meeting.

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'He's got a huge engine and the track should suit' - key trainer quotes and analysis for hot Wincanton handicap  

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