Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including 20/1 Navan fancy

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Worcester, 13:10 - Back Modus Operendi E/W @ 14/115.00

Four-year-old gelding Modus Operendi makes his British debut for Deborah Cole following an impressive 15-length victory at Dieppe. The son of Prince Gibraltar shaped with promise on that occasion and could be an interesting contender in this sphere from a mark of 113 under James Bowen, who has a 30 percent win-rate when riding over fences for the yard.

The switch to a left-handed track may also bring further improvement from him and the unexposed youngster, who already has some valuable experience, could be worth keeping onside. He's entitled to continue improving and could be a useful prospect for the season ahead.

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Fontwell, 13:57 - Back Uncle Scrooge E/W @ 7/18.00

In the opening maiden hurdle contest at Fontwell, Uncle Scrooge is one to note each-way on Rules debut. He was beaten only a neck by Blue To You in his latest point appearance when finishing a length-and-a-quarter ahead of third-placed Flying Ace, who is three from four over obstacles since joining Gordon Elliott and is currently rated 129.

In his first point appearance, the son of Soldier Of Fortune finished third to promising prospect Masked Man, who finished second in a Haydock Grade Two last season following a 14-length hurdling debut win over now 132-rated Blue Carpet. 

There's substance to his point form and Uncle Scrooge is an intriguing contender in this sphere who could be capable of putting in a competitive performance. Chris Gordon has been in decent form of late and has a noteworthy strike-rate with his hurdles in recent months, which is an encouraging sign for a horse making his first appearance for 332 days.

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Navan, 15:17 - Back Gotta Catch'em All E/W @ 15/28.50

From a mark of 72 under Siobhan Rutledge, Gotta Catch'em All makes appeal at the weights in his 33rd outing.

The six-year-old gelding is 4lb above his last winning mark when beating I Bid You Ajou by a length-and-a-quarter at Naas during the summer, but is 1lb lower than when half-a-length second to Red Evolution, who went on to chase home Coul Angel in a competitive Curragh handicap at the Irish Champions Festival and won a 20-runner handicap at Naas from a rating of 85 last month.

Third to Amiata from a 3lb higher mark at Navan in August, the son of Free Eagle was far from disgraced in his penultimate start when fifth of 16 runners but wasn't quite seen to best effect in his latest outing. He could be worth keeping the faith in from a workable rating and could bounce back to form, holding solid claims if back to his best.

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Notable winners from Katie in recent weeks

• Moon Over Miami @ 10/3
• Intellotto @ 11/1
• King Cuan @ 7/4
• Haffner @ 4/1
• Tribal Chief @ 10/3
• Dragon Of Malta @ 13/2
• Good Morning Alex @ 14/1
• Copper Knight @ 13/2
• Tyger Bay @ 14/1
• Who's Glen @ 15/2
• Brian @ 11/2
• Sunriseontheboyne @ 11/1
• Giant @ 20/1

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Worcester, 15:25 - Back Sapphos Word @ 5/42.25

Jamie Snowden has a 44 percent strike-rate in novice hurdles this season and is currently performing at a 42 percent win-rate with his hurdles so far this month. The yard is in good form and their hurdling debutante Sapphos Word could give a good account of herself under Gavin Sheehan.

The five-year-old mare finished second in two bumpers at the end of last year, beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length on yard debut by Shotgun Shirley, who went on to finish second to Celestial Tune in a Cheltenham Listed bumper and placed third to Charisma Cat in a Grade Two handicap at Newbury, with Aj's Diamond, a subsequent winner and runner-up in the Sussex Champion Hurdle, in third.

In her second outing, she was beaten by then John Dawson-trained Capricciose, who now resides with Dan Skelton, and will need to improve on that form to beat Lune Brilliante, who was ahead of Capricciose previously, but she may put her best foot forward over obstacles and has previous point winning experience.

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Navan, 16:27 - Back Tullyhill E/W @ 17/29.50

Making his second start for Mary Ellen Doyle, and first start in this sphere, bumper winner Tullyhill could improve for a return to action following a 255-day break on yard debut at Listowel when last seen. He was sent off at a huge price of 150/1151.00 that day when pulled up over hurdles, but may find more luck in a race of this nature which could spark a resurgence.

The grey son of Martaline was purchased for £220,000 following a point success, and went on to win his bumper convincingly over Will Do on debut for former trainer Willie Mullins. He was sent off as the 11/43.75 favourite when failing to make an impact in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle won by Slade Steel, and failed to return to the winners' enclosure for Closutton following a nine-length Listed Punchestown win.

Having changed hands for 45,000gns in the spring, there could still be more to come from the eight-year-old, who makes only his 16th career start. Improvement is required but it may be too early to give up on Tullyhill, and he could outrun his odds in the hands of Joey Sheridan.

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Navan, 17:04 - Back Desert Friend E/W @ 20/121.00

Desert Friend is 3lb lower than when landing a dominant seven-length win over You Make Me Smile at Sligo in May. Conor Cusack claims 7lb in the saddle once again and, although the veteran hasn't been seen to his best in his few latest outings, he has proven this year that he still retains ability therefore could return to form.

From a workable mark currently in his 74th career start, the experienced 10-year-old shouldn't be discounted from a workable rating, making each-way appeal as he bids to find a resurgence in search for his tenth victory.

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Bet of the day: Newmarket, 17:20 - Back Cilician @ 9/25.50

Equipped with first-time blinkers in the hands of Ryan Moore, Cilician could finally shed his maiden tag on the back of a narrow defeat to Norham at Sandown. He has been generally consistent during his career to date despite failing to get off the mark as of yet, showing he possesses ability and is capable of posing a threat from a similar rating.

The Brian Meehan-trained son of Blackbeard has shown good enough form on occasion to suggest he should be capable of making his presence felt in this field. Although first-time headgear didn't do the job at Goodwood, the application of blinkers could give him enough of an edge to see out his race well enough and prevail.

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Kempton, 19:00 - Back Roaring Legend E/W @ 14/115.00

Top weight Roaring Legend has 5lb claimer Hugh Horgan aboard, easing his weight-carrying burden, and shouldn't be discounted at a double-figure price. He was able to outrun odds of 80/181.00 to be only narrowly denied by Valedictory at the July Festival during the summer, when rated only 1lb lower, and, although he wasn't seen to best effect at Newbury in his latest start, he's capable of making the frame here.

A three-time winner on the all-weather with proven stamina, Roaring Legend carries a hefty weight but has been able to do so in the past, finishing second to Enemy from the same mark at Lingfield earlier this year. He's a formidable stayer on his day with plenty of valuable experience in his favour, and could give a good account of himself for Olly Murphy.

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Kempton, 19:00 - Back Real Dream E/W @ 10/111.00

Course winner Real Dream hasn't been at his best since a narrow defeat in a Group Two Riyadh handicap earlier this year, but he has dropped 12lb as a result and is only 1lb above his last winning mark.

It has been over three years since his latest success but he has put in a number of creditable efforts since, only narrowly denied at odds of 25/126.00 in Listed company by Coltrane and Al Nayyir at Sandown last year, before finishing a good fifth in the Ebor to Ethical Diamond when on an 11lb higher mark.

Unlucky not to have recorded a fourth win of his career in recent seasons, the Ian Williams-trained contender could still be capable of posing a threat on his day and is far from a forlorn hope under Rossa Ryan.

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