Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday include a 14/1 feature race fancy at Salisbury

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Lingfield, 15:45 - Back Romantic Spirit E/W @ 9/110.00

David Menuisier-trained Romantic Spirit has four wins to her name to date and could put in an improved effort in the second race at Lingfield from a workable mark of 66. She hasn't been at her best so far this season but was in good form this time last year, placing twice in two races during September 2025 before winning from a 2lb higher rating at Southwell in October. 

Although she must prove she still retains ability, the four-year-old filly could be worth keeping the faith in under Saffie Osborne. She's capable of better than shown so far this term and could find a resurgence.

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Salisbury, 16:14 - Back Love Is E/W @ 14/115.00

In the Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes, the Group Three feature event at Salisbury on Thursday, Love Is could outrun her odds of 14/115.00 under Oisin Murphy. She is a talented filly having already shaped with promise during her debut campaign this season and, in only her fifth career start, remains capable of showing further improvement. 

In her latest two outings, the daughter of Sioux Nation has failed to truly threaten but has been appearing in tough company in Stakes races won by Libertango and Alfred Wallace respectively.

Whilst this is another tough assignment, she could be more competitive back over 6f on a softer surface having finished a good second to Night In Vegas in good-to-soft ground at Goodwood earlier in the term following a debut success at Windsor.

There could be more to come from Love Is, who is one to note under the in-form champion jockey for the Richard Hughes stable.

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Salisbury, 16:49 - Back Albaydaa @ 5/23.50

William Haggas-trained filly Albaydaa warrants consideration from a mark of 88 in this handicap. She beat Just A Girl from a rating of 84 at Carlisle earlier in the term, following on from a good third to Sovereign Spell and second to Colori Forever in respective competitive handicaps at Newmarket and Ascot. 

Still lightly-raced and capable of showing further progression, the daughter of Pinatubo could pose a threat from her current rating.

She couldn't make a significant impression at York when last seen but may take a step forward for that outing which followed a 57-day break, and could be worth keeping onside in the hands of Harry Davies, who has been among the winners recently.

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Bet of the day: Haydock, 17:00 - Back Storm Point @ 4/15.00

In the mile-and-a-quarter finale at Haydock, Storm Point holds solid claims under 3lb claiming Ashley Lewis from a mark of 78. He's 5lb higher than when successful at Newbury in his penultimate start, in a 10-runner handicap over a mile, but stayed on well enough to beat his rivals by two-and-a-half-lengths to suggest there could be further progression to come and the step up in distance may suit.

Despite being sent off as joint-favourite in his subsequent run at the same venue, the Ed Walker-trained contender couldn't get involved in quicker conditions, well-beaten by eventual winner Grizedale. This contrasting challenge back in slower conditions with the extra couple of furlongs could allow him to fare much better and return to form.

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Salisbury, 17:24 - Back Point Of Contact @ 4/15.00

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces, Point Of Contact is another of Oisin Murphy's mounts to consider on this Salisbury card. He was a good winner at York in June from a 2lb lower rating, but hasn't quite kicked on from that second career success with a below par effort at Sandown in his subsequent run preceding a decent fourth-placed effort at Hamilton where he was beaten three-and-a-half-lengths.

The son of Blue Point is capable of better and appears well-treated at the weights from a rating of 87 from which he should be competitive if on a going day. The addition of headgear could spark enough improvement to see him pose a threat and put in a bold bid, and he may be worth keeping onside for Andrew Balding.

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Salisbury, 17:55 - Back Zgharta @ 5/16.00

Zgharta also makes appeal for Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding in the Salisbury finale. She is a talented filly at her best but has been inconsistent and has dropped from a career-high mark of 89 to her current rating of 83 as a result.

Dropping in class in this contest could allow Zgharta to return to form. She put in a creditable effort when beaten only a length-and-three-quarters in fourth at Chester in her penultimate run, improving on her previous two outings of the year, and could put in a bold bid at this level.

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Southwell, 18:40 - Back Enola Grey E/W @ 16/117.00

Course-and-distance winner Enola Grey is one to consider when lining up at Southwell, with plenty of experience at the track in her favour. She's currently 3lb below her last winning mark as she makes her all-weather return in familiar surroundings, and could go well under Joanna Mason, who partnered her to an eye-catching sixth on reappearance at Carlisle in June.

The likeable six-year-old mare, trained by Gemma Tutty, makes appeal from a workable rating and could give a good account of herself in this mile contest as she bids for an eighth career win in her 65th start.

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Southwell, 20:10 - Back Tyger Bay E/W @ 12/113.00

Tyger Bay could improve for his return to action at Windsor recently when returning from an 84-day break. He's one to note at the weights from a mark of 76 with 5lb claiming Seamus Cronin in the saddle, currently 3lb higher than his last winning mark but having been competitive from a higher rating in the past.

Another likeable contender on the Southwell card, the experience nine-year-old has 11 wins to his name from 70 starts on this surface. He is on a mark from which he can be competitive and has run well at the track on a number of occasions previously, therefore could make his presence felt in this field for Conrad Allen.

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