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

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Warwick, 14:30 - Back Step Ahead @ 9/43.25

Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls-trained Step Ahead could be suited by the step up in distance over this 3m1f trip and may prove better than his current mark of 122. He shaped with promise in bumpers earlier in his career, chasing home French Ship on debut at Haydock before placing third in a 14-runner Listed bumper at Ascot won by Windbeneathmywings.

At Cheltenham on New Year's Day, the six-year-old shed his maiden tag by beating Just Golden, a subsequent winner at this track, but hasn't been able to replicate that level of performance in two novice hurdling events since.

A switch to the handicap route could allow him to find more luck and he's unexposed coming into the race with the scope for further improvement.

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Warwick, 15:00 - Back Theonewedreamof @ 7/52.40

Seven-year-old mare Theonewedreamof is only 4lb higher than her last winning mark, 1lb lower than when a close second to Party Vibes in a qualifier at Cheltenham in December. She makes appeal at the weights under Harry Skelton and could prove tough to beat.

Formerly trained by Gavin Cromwell, the daughter of French Navy is seeking her second win of the season, bidding for a seventh career success in her 39th start. She has put in a number of good efforts for Dan Skelton so far this season, and could add another victory to her record from a workable mark.

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Warwick, 15:30 - Back Greyval E/W @ 11/112.00

Greyval won this race at Cheltenham last year from the same mark of 118, and could put in a repeat performance by landing a seventh career win. She hasn't been at her best so far this term, but has dropped significantly in the weights as a result and could be capable of faring better, often seen to good effect at this time of year.

The seven-year-old mare is a likeable grey who has gained experience over fences this term before reverting back over hurdles. She was far from disgraced at Ludlow when last seen, nor at Kempton in her penultimate start, but is capable of performing to a higher standard and makes appeal at the weights for Fergal O'Brien under Johnny Burke.

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Beverley, 15:52 - Back Iwantmytimewithyou @ 11/43.75

In this mile-and-a-half contest, Ed Dunlop-trained Iwantmytimewithyou could pose a threat under Rossa Ryan on the back of a promising return to action at Kempton where he finished a length second earlier this month. That was his return to action following a 206-day break from which he's entitled to take a step forward.

The four-year-old enjoyed two wins during his debut campaign last season, proving his stamina over an extra quarter-of-a-mile too when promoted to first at Bath. He had previously shed his maiden tag at Ripon by six-lengths from a mark of 58, and, now rated 66, could show further progression with the benefit of plenty of experience coming into his second season.

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Beverley, 16:22 - Back Copper And Five E/W @ 12/113.00

Course-and-distance winner Copper And Five claimed success from a 5lb higher mark at this track last spring, beating Triple Force to prevail by half-a-length at odds of 15/28.50. He has put in a couple of decent efforts since, including when fourth in a competitive 12-runner handicap here in September, but this could be a feasible opportunity for him to return to the winners' enclosure in familiar surroundings.

The experienced veteran failed to fire in his reappearance at Thirsk recently, but is entitled to come on for the run on the back of a 205-day absence. He won in his second start of the season last year following a fifth-placed effort at Thirsk, and could repeat the feat this time around from a lenient mark for Ruth Carr.

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Warwick, 16:30 - Back Son Of Hypnos E/W @ 20/121.00

Nine-year-old gelding Son Of Hypnos improved plenty for his stable debut for Ryan Chapman to finish third at Exeter when last seen. He's 3lb lower now, 2lb higher than his last success, with Jack Stenhouse claiming 7lb in the saddle once again.

Formerly trained by Kevin Michael Smith, the experienced performer is winner on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences, and is bidding for a seventh career win in his 60th start. He's on a workable rating and can make his presence felt in this field, capable of taking another step forward from a decent effort in his latest outing.

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Warwick, 17:02 - Back Caterpillar Girl E/W @ 7/18.00

Five-year-old mare Caterpillar Girl faces a stiff task on chasing debut in only her fifth career start, but could be well treated from an opening mark of 95. The daughter of Telescope is out of Got Away, a three-time winner over fences and could be capable of showing further progression if taking to this new challenge.

On debut in a bumper here last spring, the Tom George-trained contender made a winning start at odds of 15/28.50 under Johnny Burke, who returns in the saddle, impressing to win by three-and-three-quarter-lengths over a field which included subsequent Listed runner-up Ladies Day.

The yard has a decent record at the track and their representative is an interesting contender in this line-up that could be worth keeping onside.

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Dundalk, 18:45 - Back Imperial Fighter E/W @ 17/29.50

Equipped with a first-time visor, Imperial Fighter could finally enter the winners' enclosure for Patrick McKenna having been unlucky on a couple of occasions so far for his current trainer. He's winless since January 2025 when landing success at Wolverhampton from a mark 69 for former trainer Jamie Osborne, and, now 13lb lower rated under 5lb claimer Patrick McGettigan, could strike again.

Once rated as high as 110, the son of The Gurkha was an exciting prospect for Andrew Balding earlier in his career, winning on debut at Goodwood before chasing home Royal Patronage in the Group Three Acomb Stakes as a juvenile. He was second to future Classic winner Coroebus in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, and also featured in the Futurity Trophy Stakes won by Luxembourg, beaten only two-and-a-half-lengths on that occasion.

As a three-year-old, he finished third at Listed level before placing in the Irish 2000 Guineas, showing his class, and, although no longer at that level, has shown he can be useful in this sphere and is well-handicapped currently.

Should the addition of new headgear have a desired effect and should he enjoy a favourable trip, the seven-year-old may be able to land a third career success and warrants consideration.

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