Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including 22/1 July Festival fancy at Newmarket

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Bet of the day: Newmarket, 13:50 - Back Del Maro @ 13/82.63

Charlie Appleby-trained Del Maro was desperately unlucky to be denied by Limestone when finishing strongly over 1m6f in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last month. He made up ground late on to be denied only a nose for the second successive race at odds of 12/113.00, following on from a narrow defeat in a Listed Goodwood contest to Golden Story the month prior.

The son of Camelot has shown plenty of promise as a potential stayer this season, continuing his good run of form from his debut campaign last term when a close second to Glacius and Maltese Cross in respective contests, including over a mile at this track. He was also third to subsequent Group One winner Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter. 

On reappearance this term, he beat Point Of Law at Yarmouth but was no match for future Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini at Chester. Recently however, he has been in excellent form and could return to the winners' enclosure by landing a first Stakes level success in the opening Group Three contest of the July Festival.

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Newmarket, 14:25 - Back Persian Spring @ 14/115.00

Outsider of the field Persian Spring shouldn't be discounted in this four-runner Group Two, despite being more exposed than his rivals. He could only manage fifth on debut but improved for his first career run when shedding his maiden tag at York, beating subsequent five-length winner Clash Of Hearts as well as Rlasthope, who went on to finish a good third in the Woodcote at Epsom behind Hickory Lad.

Sent off at odds of 33/134.00 for the Norfolk Stakes last month, the Persian Force colt should be forgiven for finishing down the field having failed to find any luck in running. He couldn't get a clear run from the rear of the field in the hugely competitive 21-runner juvenile contest and, although he needs to prove his credentials at Stakes-level, his latest run wasn't a true reflection on his ability and he could be worth giving another chance to.

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Newmarket, 15:00 - Back Calico Blue E/W @ 11/26.50

Roger Varian-trained Calico Blue made a pleasing reappearance at Sandown in April when beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length by Black Star Boy on his return to action following a 287-day break. He had previously finished third to Rock On Thunder on debut at Leicester, before winning twice at Chester by a combined distance of six-lengths, justifying favouritism on both occasions.

When last seen, the son of Calyx was able to make the frame in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes, finishing fourth at odds of 22/123.00 behind dominant winner Bacio. It was a promising run and, from an unchanged mark of 93, he should be capable of another bold showing under Ray Dawson, with the return to 6f likely to suit.

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Newmarket, 16:45 - Back Conclave E/W @ 9/110.00

Three-year-old gelding Conclave has shown good form so far this year and remains unexposed in only his fifth career start. He was promoted to first on debut at Kempton before chasing home King's Trail in his subsequent run at the same venue.

In his penultimate start, the son of Sioux Nation beat subsequent winner Haayimm in a Hamilton novice event previously won by now 119-rated Sallaal, before achieving a creditable sixth-placed finish in the 30-runner Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Appearing in Stakes company for the first time here, Conclave is unexposed. He has to prove himself at this level but has shown promise and enough ability to suggest he could put in a competitive effort, therefore shouldn't be discounted for Andrew Balding under James Doyle.

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Newmarket, 17:20 - Back Ancient Rome E/W @ 22/123.00

Seven-year-old gelding Ancient Rome has struggled for luck in his latest outings, failing to get the run of things in big field, competitive handicaps. With a more favourable trip here, the likeable performer should be able to put in an improved performance from a workable mark of 93.

Currently 12lb lower than when recording his latest handicap win, on yard debut at odds of 33/134.00 in the Chesterfield Cup, Ancient Rome is on lenient rating should he return to form and be able to find a clear run in the closing stages.

The son of War Front proved last term that he still retains plenty of ability when only narrowly denied by Flying Frontier in a Sandown handicap from a mark of 100, and the dual Group Three winner, who was once just touched off in a Group One, could be worth keeping onside.

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Newbury, 18:52 - Back The Coffee Pod E/W @ [SP]

Making his second start for the in-form William Muir and Chris Grassick yard, The Coffee Pod could be worth keeping onside from a workable rating of 66, 9lb below his last win. He may have needed the outing when last seen at Leicester on yard debut, returning from a 223-day break on that occasion, and could take a significant step forward here.

The son of Acclamation has been competitive from a much higher mark on multiple occasions in the past, including last year when third at Windsor from a 6lb higher mark, therefore could be worth keeping the faith in as he bids to return to form.

Proven over the distance and once again sporting a hood that was tried for the first time in his latest appearance, The Coffee Pod holds solid claims at the weights should he return to the force of old and warrants consideration under David Probert.

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Epsom, 19:50 - Back Balon d'Or E/W @ [SP]

Simon Dow-trained Balon d'Or is 3lb lower than his last winning mark when victorious at Chester last September for former trainer Hugo Palmer. He won by two-and-a-quarter-lengths when recording his latest success, and, although he hasn't been quite as his best since, he returned to some form at Lingfield when last seen.

If able to build on his latest outing, when beaten only a length by Shalaa Asker at odds of 18/119.00, the five-year-old gelding could return to the winners' enclosure and get off the mark for his current yard. He is on a workable rating and could pose a threat under Tyler Heard, making appeal at the weights.

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Epsom, 20:22 - Back Play Me @ [SP]

Course-and-distance winner Play Me recorded his second career win when returning to the winners' enclosure at Brighton in his latest run last month. He's up 2lb for the success but remains on a workable rating from which he can be competitive under regular 7lb claiming rider Donagh Murphy, who knows him well.

The Jim Boyle-trained contender got off the mark when shedding his maiden tag at this venue last summer from a 7lb lower mark, defying odds of 11/112.00 to prevail by a length-and-a-half over Sonic Pioneer. He has since run consistently well, recording form figures of 32423441 and should make his presence felt once again in familiar surroundings with valuable proven course form in his favour.

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