Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including 14/1 Chelmsford pick

• Katie Midwinter has selections at Leicester and Chelmsford

• Course-and-distance winner can strike again

• Time for Spring to finally Bloom on the all-weather

Leicester, 13:30 - Back One Eye On Vegas @ 11/43.75

Course-and-distance winner One Eye On Vegas won this race twelve months ago from a 2lb lower mark and can put in another bold bid on the back of promising return to action at Wetherby last month. He finished second following a 295-day absence on that occasion, beaten three-lengths by Glen Road when sent off at odds of 15/28.50. 

The likeable eight-year-old was able to take a step forward for his first completed outing last season, therefore is entitled to improve for his latest run and has valuable course experience over this distance in his favour, as well as form in testing ground. 

There's plenty to like about the chances of the son of Blue Bresil in his 16th career start, and he is one to note for Stuart Edmunds under Charlie Hammond as attempts to land another Leicester success.

One Eye On Vegas has form figures of 511 at the track which should hold him in good stead, and he's well treated at the weights from a workable mark too.

Chelmsford, 18:00 - Back Ancient Times E/W @ 14/115.00

From a mark 1lb lower than his latest win at Catterick in May, Ancient Times can make his presence felt in this field under Pierre-Louis Jamin. He wasn't seen to best effect at Lingfield last month but can be excused for the run having been slowly away from the stalls, losing all chance at the start, and can fare better this time around should he be able to break well. 

A one-time winner on the all-weather, Ancient Times finished a length third in a competitive 14-runner race at Southwell on his reappearance in September from a 3lb higher rating and, despite being upped in class here, has the ability to be competitive on a going day. 

The son of Exceed And Excel has been able to pose a threat in higher class company previously, including when a half-a-length third to Vintage Clarets at Chester and when just denied by Celsius on the July Course. He has also won at a higher level, narrowly beating Makanah at Musselburgh when rated 84 under the same rider, who claimed 3lb that day, a few years ago. 

Bidding for his third win of the year, the Harry Eustace-trained runner warrants consideration and cannot be discounted as he bids for an eighth career success.

Chelmsford, 18:30 - Back Spring Bloom @ 11/43.75

Eight-year-old gelding Spring Bloom is now 5lb below his last winning mark as he makes only his fourth appearance on an all-weather surface in this 6f sprint. In his only previous appearance at this venue, the son of Power put in a creditable effort to finish fourth at odds of 28/129.00, beaten only a length-and-three-quarters by Crimson Sand. 

He raced prominently on that occasion when rated 78, but couldn't sustain the effort well enough late on to prevail. From a lower rating in a lower class contest, the Darryll Holland-trained contender could fare better under Darragh Keenan. 

Things haven't quite gone his way this year as of yet, but he has put in a number of competitive performances in defeat, including when third to Many A Star on Newmarket's July Course during the summer, and this could be his time to strike.

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!