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

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Wetherby, 15:42 - Back Lily Pearl E/W @ 12/113.00

Lily Pearl made a pleasing reappearance when third at Catterick last month, beaten only a length-and-a-half by Betties Bay when staying on. She's entitled to improve for her first run of the term and could fare better this time around for the training partnership of Richard and Peter Fahey.

The three-year-old filly shaped with promise during her debut campaign last term and got off the mark on handicap debut from a 3lb lower rating. She remains unexposed in handicaps and there could be further improvement to come from the daughter of Ardad, who warrants consideration under Shane Gray.

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Lingfield, 17:10 - Back Majestic Wave E/W @ 12/113.00

Top weight Majestic Wave drops further in class as he bids to return to form for Simon Dow, seeking a first success since his juvenile season when landing a Navan maiden for former trainer John O'Donoghue.

He made a promising start for his current trainer in England, when fourth in a higher class handicap from a mark of 89 at Lingfield, but has since struggled for form, lacking consistency, dropping 24lb as a result.

On a very low mark if able to return to any kind of form, the son of Sergei Prokofiev could improve for his return to action in April and fare better in these calmer waters for a yard that has saddled a winner recently.

It may be worth keeping the faith in the four-year-old gelding who showed a good level of form earlier in his career, and this could be his time to find a resurgence in the hands of Paddy Bradley.

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Lingfield, 17:40 - Back Balon d'Or E/W @ 10/111.00

Another interesting contender to consider for Simon Dow on the Lingfield card is five-year-old gelding Balon d'Or, who is now 2lb lower than his last winning mark when successful for former trainer Hugo Palmer last September. He appears again in this class and could be worth another try at this level having returned from an 86-day break over course-and-distance in April.

The likeable son of Kodiac has been far from disgraced in recent runs but he is capable of better, and could rediscover form in this class from a lower rating. It's too early to give up on Balon d'Or and he may be able to make his presence felt in this field.

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Leopardstown, 18:00 - Back Loingseoir E/W @ 20/121.00

Ten-year-old gelding Loingseoir is only 4lb higher than his last success when winning a 26-runner handicap at the Curragh last autumn. He put in a decent effort on his seasonal return in April, showing he still retains ability despite being in the twilight of his career, and could be capable of a bold showing in this 7f handicap.

Making his 75th career start, the son of Henrythenavigator holds each-way claims as he seeks an eight career win. He shouldn't be discounted and could make the frame, one to note at the weights.

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Leopardstown, 18:00 - Back Flaming Rib E/W @ 12/113.00

Ado McGuinness-trained Flaming Rib returns to action following a 169-day break and could put in a good effort on reappearance under 4lb claiming Reese Holohan.

The seven-year-old gelding has dropped considerably at the weights from a career-high mark of 113, and has been able to put in creditable efforts from a higher rating in handicap company in recent seasons, putting him in with each-way claims at the weights here.

A classy performer on his day, Flaming Rib has plenty of valuable experience which should hold him in good stead in this 7f contest, and he warrants consideration.

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Ffos Las, 18:20 - Back Guernsey Lady @ 4/15.00

David Evans-trained Guernsey Lady recorded a novice success at Lingfield last term when outrunning odds of 11/112.00 to shed her maiden tag. She went on to put in a few decent efforts subsequently during her debut campaign, including finishing third to cashbox from a 4lb higher mark, and could pose a threat from a rating of 69 here.

At Bath on reappearance, the daughter of Coulsty performed well, placing third when beaten only a length-and-three-quarters by Double Naughty. From a 1lb lower mark, she could be ready to strike and holds solid claims as she bids for a second career win.

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Lingfield, 19:10 - Back Doodling E/W @ 12/113.00

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces, unexposed three-year-old filly Doodling could be capable of much better than when last seen on handicap debut at Salisbury. She is down 2lb for that recent run and remains unexposed, potentially still on a lenient mark having shown some promise in novice and maiden company.

Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, the daughter of Rumble Inthejungle is an interesting contender in this contest and may be worth keeping the faith in in only her fifth career outing.

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Leopardstown, 19:30 - Back Red Autumn E/W @ 15/28.50

In this 1m1f handicap, top weight Red Autumn makes appeal for Dermot Weld in her second run of the season. She finished a good fourth to promising colt Causeway, who has franked the form with Listed and Group Three success since, earning himself a mark of 108 in the process, and is entitled to come on for her return to action.

Now rated 2lb lower than when last seen, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor could be on a lenient mark. She remains unexposed in only her seventh start, and, having shown to possess some ability, could be capable of showing further progression.

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