Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including 9/1 Nottingham fancy

Nottingham, 13:59 - Back Hello Friend @ 5/16.00

5 (6)

Hello Friend (Ire)

• J: Clifford Lee
• T: K. R. Burke
• F: 22425

• SBK 5/1
• EXC 5.5

Karl Burke-trained filly Hello Friend remains unexposed and lightly-raced in only her sixth career start, still bidding for a first win. She has finished second on three occasions already, including in her only previous start over a mile-and-three-quarters when beaten a nose by Dojin at Newmarket, and, in her second try over this trip, could be capable of shedding her maiden tag.

Having shaped as a promising stayer already, who is entitled to show further improvement as she gains more experience, the daughter of Frankel may be worth keeping onside under Clifford Lee. She has potential to show progression beyond her current mark of 78 which could prove lenient.

Nottingham, 15:29 - Back Dark Whisper E/W @ 9/110.00

6 (9)

Dark Whisper (Fr)

• J: Saffie Osborne
• T: David Menuisier
• F: 2310

• SBK 10/1
• EXC 8

Three-year-old gelding Dark Whisper is one to note from a mark of 85 under Saffie Osborne for David Menuisier. He was an eyecatching second to Portcullis on debut at Newmarket in April, before getting off the mark in his third outing at Ffos Las, beating Lean d'Aislingean by half-a-length under Billy Loughnane, justifying 7/42.75 favouritism.

The yard had been fairly quiet since then, and the son of Dark Angel couldn't make any impression on handicap debut at Goodwood, but he's capable of better and a mark of 85 could be workable. Unexposed in only his fifth appearance, Dark Whisper is one to note for a yard in-form currently and shouldn't be discounted, making each-way appeal.

Bet of the day: Navan, 16:15 - Back Pink Oxalis E/W @ 13/27.50

1 (8)

Pink Oxalis (Ire)

• J: Reese Holohan
• T: Stephen Thorne, Ireland
• F: 03562566

• SBK 13/2
• EXC 6

Top weight Pink Oxalis holds solid claims from a rating of 86 under 5lb claiming Reese Holohan for Stephen Thorne. She's a likeable mare and has put in a number of creditable efforts so far this year, proving she still retains plenty of ability.

When last seen at Leopardstown, she was beaten only two-lengths in a hugely competitive 18-runner handicap at the Irish Champions Festival, in a race she had won last year, and is currently only 1lb higher than her last winning mark, putting her in with a chance at the weights. 

It could be worth keeping the faith in the five-year-old mare, who may be ready to strike again as she seeks a fifth win.

Notable winners from Katie in recent weeks

• King Cuan @ 7/4
• Green Empress @ 2/1
• Haffner @ 4/1
• Tribal Chief @ 10/3
• Dragon Of Malta @ 13/2
• Good Morning Alex @ 14/1
• Copper Knight @ 13/2
• Greydreambeliever @ 5/2
• Tyger Bay @ 14/1
• Who's Glen @ 15/2
• Brian @ 11/2
• Zgharta @ 5/1
• Sunriseontheboyne @ 11/1
• Giant @ 20/1

Nottingham, 17:05 - Back The Feminine Urge E/W @ 12/113.00

2 (8)

The Feminine Urge (Ire)

• J: Ashley Lewis
• T: Grace Harris
• F: 07326520

• SBK 12/1
• EXC 9

The Feminine Urge is yet to win for Grace Harris, but she has put in a few competitive efforts including when narrowly denied at Bath in her penultimate start. She is 12lb lower than when recording her latest success for previous trainer George Scott, and, from a mark of 54 in the hands of Ashley Lewis, she could get back to winning ways.

From her current rating, The Feminine Urge should be able to strike soon and this could be a feasible opportunity for her. She has proven form over the trip and should give a good account of herself.

Kempton, 19:00 - Back Seeing Stars E/W @ 11/26.50

2 (5)

Seeing Stars

• J: Luke Morris
• T: William Knight
• F: 13438486

• SBK 9/4
• EXC 3.4

Course-and-distance winner Seeing Stars makes appeal in this 7f handicap for William Knight under Luke Morris as she bids to return to the winners' enclosure in these familiar surroundings for the first time since getting off the mark in January. She had been running consistently well earlier in her career, recording form figures of 2221343 prior to a disappointing effort at Doncaster in late July, putting in a couple of disappointing efforts in recent months.

Despite this, she has still performed with credit on a couple of occasions including when beaten only a length at Nottingham in August when behind Melissa Honey, and she stuck to the task well here in her latest start last month. 

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