Thursday Racing Tips: Key Timeform data, including a trio of Horses In Focus

14:55 Newmarket - Arbaawy can break his duck

John Butler's Arbaawy has plenty of place money to his name without managing to win so far but he looks capable of putting that right from near the foot of the weights in Newmarket's mile and a quarter contest.

Stepping up to today's trip for the first time and with the cheekpieces going back on, he went agonisingly close to getting off the mark at Salisbury last time when collared right on the post.

Travelling best, he went on around three furlongs out only to be nailed on the line by Hello Cotai. Arbaawy earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag, though, shaping as though a race will come his way before long.

16:40 Newmarket - Irish Nectar to complete quick hat-trick

Newmarket's five-furlong handicap features a couple of runners at opposite ends of the weights who both have the 'Horse In Focus' flag and who stand out off their current marks.

Preference is for Michael Herrington's Irish Nectar who has top weight of 10-1 to carry but still looks well treated - 4 lb clear in the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings - despite having the burden of a double penalty.

Taking advantage of his reduced mark, he notched a quick double at Leicester and Haydock last week, winning both races readily and suggesting he merits plenty of respect in his hat-trick bid.

18:30 Southwell - Progressive Piazza due another win

Piazza is a progressive filly for Ollie Sangster who looks to have a good chance of adding to her sole success to date, which came at Kempton in August, in Southwell's seven-furlong contest.

She has found only one too good in each of her three starts since that Kempton win, beaten only narrowly the last twice and looking unlucky on her latest outing which came over this evening's course and distance.

Caught further back than ideal in a steadily-run race, Piazza stayed on to be beaten a nose by Brisk Symphony, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag, and she can make amends off the same mark here.

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