Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including 40/1 Thyestes Chase fancy

• Katie Midwinter has fancies at three tracks on Thursday

• Classy pair make appeal in competitive Thyestes

• Defending champion could land the spoils once again at Down Royal

• For the latest Betfair Racing odds click here

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Gowran Park, 13:45 - Back Rocky's Diamond @ 5/23.50

Course-and-distance winner Rocky's Diamond did well to land the prize twelve months ago, beating Thedevilscoachman and a field which also included subsequent Grade One winner Hiddenvalley Lake. He'll need to be at his best to retain his crown, but has an extra year of experience in his favour and should fare better than when last seen in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

When last seen in a first-time visor, the son of Altruistic, who is a half-brother to the extremely tough and likeable The Little Yank, made the running before weakening and finishing well beaten by the eventual winner Teahupoo. It was his first run over hurdles since May at the Punchestown Festival, and he is entitled to come forward from the run.

In September, Rocky's Diamond made a promising start over fences, beating Addragoole by five-and-a-half-lengths over 2m2f at Galway. He finished second to Blizzard Of Oz in his Listed company in his following run, before being unable to make a significant impression in a Grade Two Novice Chase won by Oscars Brother.

The return to hurdling could be the better option for Rocky's Diamond currently, and his trainer and rider should be full of confidence following a first Grade One success aboard I'll Sort That recently.

In the hands of Declan Queally, Rocky's Diamond, who has been a flagship performer for the yard and still remains open to further improvement, makes the most appeal. He faces stiff opposition once again, but is suited by these conditions and is a strong stayer, capable of holding his own in the company as proven previously.

Southwell, 14:50 - Back Bella Love E/W @ 11/26.50

Four-year-old filly Bella Love is still seeking a first career win at the 19th attempt, but this could be a feasible opportunity to finally strike in the hands of Jordan Nason.

Representing Ivan Furtado currently, the daughter of Kodiac has been able to make the frame on four occasions for previous trainer Craig Lidster, achieving form figures of 2232 in her first four starts before going on to place from a mark of 67 during her debut campaign.

She has struggled for consistency since then but was only narrowly denied in a maiden handicap at Carlisle last summer, proving she can pose a threat on a going day when things fall right for her. 

It could prove worth keeping the faith in Bella Love, who has shown she does possess some ability.

Gowran Park, 15:30 - Back Pied Piper E/W @ 40/141.00

Likeable gelding Pied Piper remains on a mark of 144 following his ninth-placed effort in the Paddy Power Chase when last seen, beaten 11-lengths at the line by Favori De Champdou but emerging with some credit.

He's a classy performer who has been able to be somewhat competitive in big field handicaps so far during his career, following a successful time over hurdles in which he displayed plenty of talent.

Since going chasing, the chestnut has shaped with great potential. He won his first three chase starts by a combined distance of 70-lengths, and, more recently, finished a creditable fifth in the Troytown from a 2lb higher mark.

Kevin Healy claims 7lb in the saddle, taking over from Josh Williamson, putting Pied Piper in with solid each-way claims at the weights, and blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces, on for the first time since his last run for former trainers John and Thady Gosden when comfortably winning a mile-and-a-quarter handicap on the Flat at Leicester.

This particular headgear has worked well in the past and could spark some further improvement from a horse who, as an eight-year-old, remains capable of showing more progression in this type of contest. He has gathered some valuable experience so far, and this could be his time to strike by landing a big pot for Gordon Elliott.

Gowran Park, 15:30 - Back Intense Raffles E/W @ 109/1

Former Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles has failed to strike since landing that prestigious Fairyhouse handicap in 2024, beating gallant runner-up Any Second Now.

The testing conditions and stiff staying test appeared to suit the eyecatching grey perfectly, and he has run well since when only narrowly denied by subsequent Grand National winner Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase.

The Thomas Gibney-trained runner has failed to make a significant impression in handicap company, however, but remains capable of returning to form from a lower mark of 151, having been seen off 157 and 155 respectively in his latest two runs. This softer conditions should suit, and, as an eight-year-old making only his 14th start over the larger obstacles, he could be capable of a resurgence in the handicap sphere.

The son of Martaline wasn't completely disgraced when eighth in the Coral Gold Cup behind Panic Attack, and could bounce back from a pulled up effort in the Welsh Grand National when last seen. He should be suited by the return to more testing conditions, with the ground currently described as heavy at Gowran Park. He hasn't been seen on heavy ground since his National win a couple of years ago.

Gowran Park, 15:30 - Back Conyers Hill E/W @ 25/126.00

Paul Nolan-trained Conyers Hill is too big a price at 25/126.00 to ignore, although he faces a tough task in this competitive handicap. He is yet to be fully exposed as a chaser, making only his tenth start over the larger obstacles, and has shaped with promise, often running on strongly late on from the rear of the field. 

Conyers Hill was travelling comfortably when coming down late on at Limerick when last seen, and could be capable of making his presence felt in this field under in-form rider Sean Flanagan. He was a good fourth to Panic Attack at Cheltenham in November, when only six-and-a-half-lengths behind the winning mare who is now rated 12lb higher, with runner-up Vincenzo franking the form since.

Not one to be discounted, Conyers Hill warrants each-way consideration as he remains open to further improvement and may be well treated from his current rating.

Newcastle, 17:30 - Back Tribal Wisdom @ 4/15.00

Seven-year-old gelding Tribal Wisdom has been running consistently well over the past year or so, and has recorded form figures of 14111433 since his return to action following a short break in October. 

In his latest two runs from an unchanged mark of 81, the Ian Williams-trained gelding has finished third twice, beaten only a length-and-a-half on both occasions by Legal Reform and Talis Evolvere respectively.

The son of Frankel, who makes his 44th career start in this mile contest, represents an in-form yard as he steps back up in class, and should be able to pose a threat once again as he seeks a seventh win, making appeal at the weights under Hector Crouch.

Newcastle, 18:30 - Back Glory Fighter E/W @ 30/131.00

Trainer Paul Midgley has had two winners and two seconds from his previous four runners, and his representative Glory Fighter makes appeal in the penultimate race on Newcastle's card this Thursday.

The experienced veteran, who makes his 77th start, is only 1lb higher than his previous success at Catterick in August, and could be capable of returning to form having failed to pose a serious threat in his latest few runs. He's on a mark from which he can be competitive and, with the yard in great form currently, is one to keep onside. 

Glory Fighter finished second and third, respectively, in two runs at this track early during 2025, and could add to his eleven wins to date in the hands of Barry McHugh.

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!