Thursday Racing Tips: Timeform's three to back including a Goddess at Pontefract

13:57, Listowel - Lennon Grove to win on hurdles debut

6

Lennon Grove (Ire)

• J: Keith Donoghue
• T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland
• F: 52132-

• SBK 3/1
• EXC 6.2

Only a handful of mares are of interest in this big field, and while Willie Mullins' Al Arrivee will be popular, the half-sister to dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo may well prove vulnerable back at two miles.

She can be taken on, therefore, with Gavin Cromwell's hurdling debutant Lennon Grove who did nothing but improve in bumpers last season, reaching a higher level than Al Arrivee did in that sphere.

A winner at Thurles in the winter, she was then placed in better company at Sandown and Aintree in the spring, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag from her fine second to Nan's Choice in the Grade 2 at Aintree.

15:52, Pontefract - Hollywell Stream progressing well

8 (10)

Hollywell Stream (Ire)

• J: Kevin Stott
• T: Jane Chapple-Hyam
• F: 2-62512

• SBK 5/1
• EXC 9.2

'Hot Trainer' Jane Chapple-Hyam's lightly-raced three-year-old filly Hollywell Stream makes plenty of appeal in her bid to resume winning ways in this mile and a quarter handicap.

The daughter of Lope de Vega has shown plenty of improvement since going handicapping, getting off the mark at Newmarket in August and then denied only by another progressive three-year-old last time.

Hollywell Stream ran well in staying on to be beaten half a length by Hoseki in that fillies' handicap at Haydock, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag, and she heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings here.

16:27, Pontefract - Longer trip to suit Thunder Goddess

7 (1)

Thunder Goddess

• J: Charlie Tucker
• T: Andrew Balding
• F: 645221

• SBK 4/6
• EXC 1.81

'Hot Trainer' Andrew Balding's Thunder Goddess is another filly who has done well since switching to handicaps and she can make light work of the penalty she picked up for winning at Pontefract a week ago.

She still showed signs of inexperience on that occasion but showed further improvement to get off the mark, keeping on to pull nearly five lengths clear of the runner-up and earn the 'Horse In Focus' flag.

That was over a mile and a quarter, but all her siblings have won over longer trips so there's every chance the extra two furlongs will suit Thunder Goddess well. She also tops the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings.

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