Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including 33/1 fancy

• Katie Midwinter has selections across the cards on Thursday

• Jump racing selections at Ffos Las and Clonmel

• Likeable gelding should appreciate return to hurdling

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Ffos Las, 14:10 - Back I Am Spider Man E/W @ 33/134.00

Making his second appearance for Debra Hamer, I Am Spider Man could improve on a recent run at Taunton in which he returned to some form following a string of disappointing efforts with a sixth-placed finish, beaten only nine-and-three-quarter-lengths by winner Mask Of Zorro.

From a 2lb lower mark of 102 with Callum Pritchard claiming 3lb in the saddle once again, the nine-year-old could make the frame in his 27th start. He's now 2lb below his last handicap win when victorious at Sligo in July 2024, prior to a second-placed finish in a claimer at Bellewstown before switching yards.

On a workable mark should he improve for his latest promising start, I Am Spider Man could prove worth keeping the faith in. He showed when last seen that he still retains some ability, and could be ready to strike as he drops in trip.

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Clonmel, 14:20 - Back King Of Aces 11/43.75

On Rules debut, Willie Mullins-trained King Of Aces is one to note under Patrick Mullins representing a yard that has won the previous two renewals of this maiden. He finished second in a point-to-point when last seen, only beaten by Salvador Lord, who was subsequently purchased for €125,000.

The son of Spanish Moon is a half-brother to the talented Ile Atlantique, who recorded a 19-lengths success to land his maiden on hurdling debut in Ireland, having previously finished third for former trainer Giada Menato at Auteuil. He went on to be narrowly denied in the Lawlor's Of Naas, proving his Grade One credentials, shaping with promise as a novice, and King Of Aces, his stablemate, could follow in his footsteps.

His rider is two from three in maiden hurdles so far this season, having recorded an 86 percent strike-rate in these contests during the previous campaign. During the past five terms, he has a 67 percent win-rate in maiden hurdles, making his mounts worth noting.

King Of Aces has already shown potential in the point sphere and, with a classy pedigree and talented relations, could get off the mark at the first time of asking for team Closutton.

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Clonmel, 14:50 - Back Gino Bella @ 7/24.50

Patrick Foley-trained Gino Bella has been the subject of market support in all three of her handicap starts to date, when a late faller at Cork, when third at Thurles in her penultimate start, and when finishing second to impressive winner Cowper Hall at Fairyhouse in her latest run. 

The six-year-old mare is yet to get off the mark under Rules in seven starts, but has shaped with promise, finishing third to Butch Cassidy in her Ballinrobe bumper debut, before matching that finishing position over obstacles at this venue in a race won by Stuntman Steve.

From an unchanged mark of 96, Gino Bella could finally strike in handicap company. She has twice proved she can be competitive from her current rating or a similar mark, and did finish with her head in front in a Damma House point in November.

Capable of showing further improvement, the It's Gino mare, who is partnered by 5lb claimer Eoin Staples, easing her burden off top-weight, is one to keep onside considering she has been running consistently well of late.

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Clonmel, 15:20 - Back The Little Yank E/W @ 8/19.00

Likeable gelding The Little Yank should be suited by this switch back to hurdling in softer conditions, and is on a workable mark of 93, 4lb below his last win, with 7lb claiming John Aherne taking the ride. The jockey partnered him to a fifth-placed finish in his last outing over timber, when the 11-year-old emerged with credit at odds of 12/113.00, beaten only seven-lengths in the 16 runner field.

A versatile performer, the experienced gelding can be effective over hurdles and fences, but may be seen to best effect over flights and, in more testing conditions at Clonmel, should be staying on strongly in the closing stages, possessing stamina in abundance

A tough, gutsy horse, The Little Yank rarely disappoints and usually gives his all. He is often seen staying on late in the day from the rear of the field, patiently ridden, and, if he can get into a favourable position prior to mounting his challenge, he can pose a threat for John Patrick Ryan as he bids for an eighth win.

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Chelmsford, 18:30 - Back Dion Baker @ 3/14.00

Despite being yet to strike on the all-weather in 28 starts, Dion Baker was sent off as 4/15.00 joint-favourite at Lingfield when last seen, fading late on having led to eventually finish in sixth. He has run respectably over this course-and-distance previously, including in his latest start at the venue when second to now 66-rated all-weather performer Brunel Charm, and is 11lb lower rated this time around, putting him in with a chance at the weights.

The experienced son of Ribchester is 13lb lower than his last handicap win at Yarmouth in the summer of 2024, and has been narrowly beaten on a couple of occasions since, including in a Kempton claimer following and at Brighton when rated 72.

Having shown ability from a higher mark in the past, Dion Baker could be ready to strike from a low rating. He has shown glimpses of promise over the past year, and could be capable of finally getting of the mark on an artificial surface at this level.

John Egan, who partners the gelding for the first time since 2023, has a 20 percent all-time strike rate for the Michael Wigham yard, which is another positive statistic in favour of Dion Baker.

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Chelmsford, 19:30 - Back Diamond Dreamer @ 13/27.50

Course-and-distance winner Diamond Dreamer is now 1lb lower than his previous success, having dropped from a rating as high as 75. He was upped 7lb for a two-and-a-half-length win here in March, when beating Merrimack at odds of 11/26.50 under Kieran Shoemark, staying on well late on.

Since then, the Patrick Chamings-trained contender has run well at a higher level, finishing half-a-length second to Spring Is Sprung, now rated 6lb higher on 83, when on a mark of 74 at the track in June.

That represents a good formline as the son of Oasis Dream was able to finish in front of a number of subsequent winners who have since franked the form, and, from a lower mark in this contest, he should be capable of making his presence felt in familiar surroundings if returning to form.

Whilst the six-year-old hasn't been seen to best effect in recent outings, excuses can be made for a number of his efforts and, if able to return to his best, he is on a workable mark from which he can strike.

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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