Thursday ITV racing tips: Best free bets for Chester and Huntingdon on May 8
Chester racecourse
Day 2 of Chester's May Festival and the ITV cameras have six races for the Planet Sport tipsters to consider on Thursday, May 8. Can they help you bash the bookies?
It's Ladies Day at Chester and the Listed Dee Stakes (1435) and the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (1505) are the two big highlights.
As well as five races from Chester, ITV are also showing the some jumps action from Huntingdon.
Let's begin with a quick run through of our ITV tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.
If you fancy a punt or two, visit Betway which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.
(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's latest update)
Thursday ITV tips:
13:30 (Chester) Fair Wind
13:45 (Huntingdon) Ile De Jersey
14:05 (Chester) Luminare
14:35 (Chester) Mount Kilimanjaro
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15:05 (Chester) Illinois
15:40 (Chester) El Burhan
13:30 (Chester) Fair Wind
The Caa Stellar Handicap is competitive opener and Fair Wind brings course placed form and can go well fresh. Won among this company tackling the trip at Ascot two starts back last July and should be respected on seasonal return.
Five-time course winner Roman Dragon was a close fourth in this event last year. Narrowly found success attempting a 5f handicap at Bahrain two outings ago and will be a player on UK return.
Jer Batt started the new campaign in good form with a solid third in this grade over 5f at Musselburgh. Makes for appeal.
Balmoral Lady completed a handicap hat-trick in October before a close Listed second at Doncaster.
13:45 (Huntingdon) Ile De Jersey
Ile De Jersey has been below her best of late but drops to lowest hurdles rating for three years. Tipped to take advantage of a significant ease in grade for the Pricedup.Bet Mares' Handicap Hurdle.
Mermaids Cave possesses a rather in-and-out profile but won five times during last season. Dangerous to ignore with first-time cheekpieces added.
Callin Baton Rouge came unstuck in two races at Cheltenham. Had won three in a row prior to that and this looks more realistic.
Walk Of No Shame is reasonably well treated returning from a break.
14:05 (Chester) Luminare
Luminare profiles well on paper for the British Stallion Studs Ebf Maiden Stakes with Ryan Moore booked for this first-starter by Dark Angel out of Rihaam.
Tricky Tel is a two-year-old colt by Ubettabelieveit out of Ardbrae Tara. Makes for appeal.
Dubai Time may feature being by Time Test out of Elizabeth Bennet. Rates an interesting newcomer.
Somebody brings racing experience following a 1.5L second tackling a 5f novice race at Southwell. Holds claims.
14:35 (Chester) Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro was the G1 Criterium International runner-up last year. Not disgraced on seasonal return during March when third over 1m at Dundalk.
Can return to best form in the Dee Stakes given Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore have won six of the last seven renewals of this event.
High Stock made a winning debut last month scoring narrowly a 1m maiden at Newmarket. Rates highly.
Calla Lagoon found success attempting a 7f Ascot maiden before a Listed second in October over 1m at Pontefract, while Isambard Brunel warrants a second look.
15:05 (Chester) Illinois
The G2 Queens Vase winner and G1 St Leger runner-up Illinois holds multiple placings at G1 level.
Ended 2024 winning by 2L the 1m7f G2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp and O'Brien's four-year-old looks hard to beat in the Ormonde Stakes.
Absurde finished fifth in the 2m G1 Melbourne Cup last year. Maintains great hurdle form with a Cheltenham Festival premier handicap third preceding a success in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton last month. Big chance.
Al Qareem remains unbeaten at this track (two from two) and was a narrow winner of the 1m6f Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham. Could go well again.
Mondo Man ran fifth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club of 2024. Mixed hurdle form since. Shortlist as set to bounce back.
15:40 (Chester) El Burhan
El Burhan created a promising profile last year with 7f novice victories at Yarmouth and Beverley preceding a Goodwood third during August.
The three-year-old is expected to be leading player in the Louise Keegan Handicap for trainer George Boughey.
Sex On Fire returned to best twelve days ago scoring by 1.75L a lower level 1m handicap at Haydock. Likely chance.
God Of War drops sharply in grade after a break. May enjoy the quicker going and warrants a market check.
High On Hope placed on all three outings this year including a third in the aforementioned Haydock handicap. Might feature.
You can place a bet on all these races with Betway here.
READ MORE: Best strategies for successful horse racing betting
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