Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including 16/1 pick at Newcastle

• Katie Midwinter has fancies at four venues on Thursday

• Cappucino makes appeal in opening handicap at Thurles

• Henry de Bromhead-trained mare is bet of the day

• For the latest Betfair Racing odds click here

• Click here for more racing betting tips

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Thurles, 13:32 - Back Cappucino @ 3/14.00

Liz Doyle-trained Cappucino is unexposed in handicaps over fences in only his fifth chase start, and could be well treated from a rating of 112, 4lb below his hurdling mark. A likeable performer, the lightly raced contender is a dual winner having recorded a convincing bumper success at Listowel before doubling up in a Punchestown maiden hurdle when beating The Mediator.

There's some substance to his form and he has been performing well when able to complete in recent runs over the larger obstacles. When last seen, the 7/24.50 chance was only narrowly denied by Rockbrook at Tramore in novice company, in a performance that warrants upgrading having made up ground from the rear around a tight track. There should be more to come from the seven-year-old and he could be worth keeping onside under Sean Flanagan.

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Thurles, 14:07 - Back Tareze @ 7/24.50

Likeable mare Tareze should be suited by testing conditions at Thurles having landede her latest win in Listed company in ground described as soft to heavy over a trip just shy of this extended 2m5f contest. She beat Blue Mosque by a convincing eight-lengths that day to land black-type, claiming a second success of her career under Rules having won her maiden by 27-lengths at Clonmel.

The point winner finished second in both of her first two starts for Henry de Bromhead, beaten only by Bioluminescence and Cute Des As in respective Punchestown maiden hurdles. She was pulled up behind Jade De Grugy when upped to Grade One level at Fairyhouse, but has since been able to fare better at the top table when a creditable fourth to Aurora Vega last spring at the same venue.

So far this season, Tareze has shaped with promise as a chaser and there could be further improvement to come from her. She chased home stablemate July Flower on chasing debut at Limerick, before finishing in fourth to Flicker Of Hope, third to The Enabler, and second to Jade De Grugy.

Tareze is more than capable of holding her own in Listed company over fences, dropping in grade here, and can put in a bold bid under Darragh O'Keeffe with conditions to suit.

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Sedgefield, 14:33 - Back Spike Jones @ 4/15.00

Spike Jones hasn't been seen to best effect in recent runs having performed well behind Ikarak on his return at Lingfield in November, following up that reappearance effort with an excellent third to Titan Discovery at Cheltenham. He was an unlucky faller on New Year's Day at Prestbury Park in a race won by Ma Shantou, who has franked the form, but has struggled to compete for the major honours in his latest two starts.

Despite being beaten 20-lengths in fourth by Henri The Second in a tough handicap at Sandown last month, Spike Jones did emerge with plenty of credit to achieve the finishing position he appeared unlikely to make the frame. He was well beaten but was sticking on late in the race, which bodes well for his chances over this extra extended 3f, dropping significantly in class. 

In calmer waters here, Spike Jones - who is also a selection for Sam Turner today - should have the class to pose a serious threat under 7lb claimer Sam Burton. He's 1lb lower than his previous win, and is down 3lb from his placed effort at 14/115.00 in December.

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Thurles, 15:17 - Back Bon Viveur @ 5/16.00

Outsider of the field Bon Viveur could represent value in this four-runner field for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He was sent off at 9/25.50 for a novice event won by Zeus Power at Navan when last seen, but was tailed off under Patrick Mullins and must show significant improvement if he is to make a successful step up to Grade Three level.

Despite his latest disappointment, Bon Viveur remains unexposed in only his fourth career start, his third over obstacles, and it's too early to give up on him. He was a comfortable four-length winner of his maiden hurdle at Tramore in his penultimate start, making a successful return to action following a 248-day break having managed only third on bumper debut last spring. 

The runner-up from his maiden win, Youneedabitofluck, has since finished a close second to Tatateo in novice company, finishing ahead of Spinola Bay, whilst third-placed Khmer had previously finished second to subsequent Grade Two winner Green Splendour, and Mount Hotham, further down the field, was once a close second to Fasol when representing Godolphin for André Fabre at Clairefontaine.

The son of Flemensfirth is related to dual Grade Three winner Landofhopeandglory, who finished fifth in Defi Du Seuil's Triumph Hurdle win, as well as German Derby winner Waldpark, St Leger winner Masked Marvel, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist.

There is plenty of black-type form and class in the family and Bon Viveur is entitled to continue to show improvement considering his lack of experience. He has already shown to possess some ability and the best is likely yet to come.

At odds of 5/16.00, Bon Viveur makes appeal in this select field, and could spring a small surprise for team Closutton.

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Newcastle, 17:30 - Back Griselda E/W @ 16/117.00

Four-year-old filly Griselda has dropped to a low mark of 52 having been rated as high as 84 earlier in her career following a few promising efforts as a juvenile. She hasn't been quite as effective since her debut campaign, struggling to make a serious impression often in her races, but has shaped with some potential in recent runs for Henrietta Knight.

The daughter of Kodi Bear has recent form figures of 989, finishing last in two of those three appearances, however, she hasn't been disgraced in any of her efforts during 2026 to date, including when sent off at odds of 66/167.00 and 28/129.00. In her penultimate start she was beaten only four-and-a-half-lengths under Hollie Doyle when failing to find luck in running, appearing to have plenty left at the line.

With a favourable trip, Griselda is far from a forlorn hope and shouldn't be discounted despite her recent form figures. She has dropped to a mark from which she should be competitive, and can put in a respectable bid under in-form 5lb claimer Cian Horgan.

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Newcastle, 18:00 - Back Swiss Ace E/W @ 11/112.00

Course-and-distance winner Swiss Ace is now 21lb lower than her previous win and has been able to make the frame from a much higher rating than his current mark of 56 since then, including when beating only a length at Southwell from 67 last spring.

The Ruth Carr-trained eight-year-old was beaten only a length-and-a-quarter by Blufferonthebus when sent off at odds of 16/117.00 from a mark of 63 in a higher class race over this course-and-distance in November, and, from a much lower mark at this level, could be able to put in a competitive effort.

With course form in his favour, and from a dangerous mark, Swiss Ace warrants each-way consideration under 5lb claimer Taryn Langley, holding solid claims at the weights.

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Bahrain, 19:50 - Back Calif @ SP

Seven-year-old gelding Calif caught the eye when third to Byline in Listed company over a mile here in December. He didn't get a favourable trip in the straight on that occasion, struggling to find a clear run until it was too late, but running on well in the final furlong. 

The son of Areion couldn't build on that effort over an extra furlong when last seen, failing to quicken effectively enough to make a significant impression, but this step up in trip may suit and he could prove worth keeping the faith in. 

Calif is a talented horse on his day and a Group One winner, having beaten Fantastic Moon by a length in a top level Munich contest in 2024. He should be able to make his presence felt in this field and makes the most appeal with his usual visor equipped once again.

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Newcastle, 20:00 - Back Pop Star E/W @ 14/115.00

Formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien before making multiple appearances for Alice Haynes and now residing with Iain Jardine, six-year-old gelding Pop Star is one to note under Greg Fairley as he bids for a fifth career success in his 29th start. 

The son of Sioux Nation is 4lb higher than his last winning mark but has been able to be competitive from a higher rating since his latest success at Bath, including when narrowly denied by Parisiac in a Hamilton contest when outrunning odds of 14/115.00, and when a close second to Ziggy's Triton from a 4lb higher rating at Musselburgh last summer. 

Pop Star hasn't been seen to his best in two runs for his current yard but could make it third time lucky, dropping in class from a workable mark. He shouldn't be discounted, holding each-way claims if returning to form and improve on his previous two runs.

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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