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

• Katie Midwinter has selections at three tracks on Thursday

• Meatloaf makes the most appeal on Wincanton's card

• Veteran could outrun his odds

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Fairyhouse, 11:53 - Back Union Station @ 9/25.50

Sporting first-time cheekpieces in his eighth start over fences, seven-year-old gelding Union Station makes appeal under Keith Donoghue. He finished second in handicap company to Kish Bank when last seen, having previously chased home Bossothebrownies in this company.

Last season, the Gavin Cromwell-trained contender finished second to both My Gaffer and Brandt, too, and, considering he remains lightly raced and capable of further improvement, he could be worth keeping onside as he bids to get off the mark.

In twelve career starts, the son of Leading Light remains a maiden, but he has performed consistently well, achieving form figures of 33324 over hurdles before being sent chasing, including when third to a subsequent Supreme favourite in Tullyhill on Naas debut.

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Wincanton, 13:52 - Back Just Aidan E/W @ 15/28.50

Course-and-distance winner Just Aidan could come on for his return to action last month when pulled up at Leicester, in what was his first run following a 232-day break. He had been in good form during the second half of last season, bar a below par effort in his final run of the campaign at Ffos Las, recording successive wins, including at this venue in March.

Now 4lb higher than his previous success, Just Aidan could be capable of making his presence felt in this field under in-form champion jockey Sean Bowen. He is yet to be fully exposed in handicaps over hurdles and was progressing nicely during the early months of 2025.

Having had a recent run, this could be the time to catch Just Aidan, who has course form in his favour as he seeks a third career win for Harriet Dickin.

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Wincanton, 14:27 - Back Meatloaf @ 13/27.50

In the hands of capable 7lb claimer Freddie Keighley, Meatloaf could return to form for the Ditcheat yard, seeking a fifth career success in his 12th start.

The seven-year-old was far from disgraced when beaten six-lengths over the minimum trip here last month, having previously finished fourth at Newbury in his return to action in November. He had been absent for a long period of 538 days prior to that return to action, having shaped with promise when landing a Taunton novice event in convincing fashion, following on from three previous successes at this venue.

With the best potentially yet to come from Meatloaf, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding could be worth keeping the faith in, particularly considering his course form. He may still be improving on the back of a lengthy layoff, and makes the most appeal at the weights in this company.

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Newcastle, 14:35 - Back Junkyard Dog E/W @ 13/27.50

Making his hurdling handicap debut, Junkyard Dog is one to note for Iain Jardine. A 70-rated performer on the Flat, he's entitled to keep on progressing over obstacles, making only his fourth start in this sphere, and there could be plenty of further improvement to come from him. 

Formerly trained by Joseph O'Brien, for whom he landed a mile-and-a-quarter Navan handicap, beating 18 rivals, Junkyard Dog made one hurdling appearance for his previous connections when third to Minella Study at Tipperary. He shaped with promise on that occasion when eight-lengths behind the now 138-rated winner, who has subsequently landed Listed honours as well as Cheltenham success.

There were a couple of useful performers in behind, too, including now 108-rated Kasper Hauser, who has featured in a couple of Grade Two contests since.

From a mark of 96, with a first-time tongue-tie equipped, Junkyard Dog could potentially be well treated on handicap debut. He's unexposed and remains open to further improvement. Whilst he faces a stiff task as the only four-year-old in the field, he is in receipt of weight from his rivals and may be able to hold his own under Craig Nichol.

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Wincanton, 15:02 - Back Oh My Johnny @ 5/16.00

Representing the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White yard, Oh My Johnny is one to note under Sean Houlihan as he seeks a third career win in his ninth start. He was no match for Jalisco Start at Uttoxeter when upped in trip last month, but slightly sounder conditions may allow him to finish off his race better, along with the benefit of experience over the staying trip.

There could be more to come from him over this distance, and he remains unexposed in this sphere from a mark of 118. The two-time winner landed his maiden by five-and-a-half-lengths at Uttoxeter last winter, before adding to his tally with a narrow Hereford success over Reallyntruthfully, now rated 129 over fences.

With the scope for further improvement possible, six-year-old gelding Oh My Johnny is an intriguing contender. He holds a solid chance for a yard in decent form.

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Fairyhouse, 15:18 - Back Yoursimplythebest @ 6/17.00

Gerard Keane-trained Yoursimplythebest could live up to her name in this field as she seeks a maiden success at the ninth time of asking. In recent outings, the daughter of Jukebox Jury has recorded form figures of 332 in big field handicaps, and is only 2lb higher on a mark of 77. She has been knocking on the door and holds solid each-way claims on her return to Fairyhouse.

Although she failed to show much in maiden company last term, in contests won by the likes of Kopek Des Bordes and Sixandahalf, she has come into form of late and appears one to keep a close eye on.

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Wincanton, 15:37 - Back Rapper E/W @ 40/141.00

Experienced veteran Rapper, who is usually seen to best effect on a sounder surface, could improve on his latest effort over this extra distance. He was entitled to improve for his return to action at Ascot in November, and performed with some credit at Ludlow when last seen, but has shown in the past that he is capable of better.

The Henry Daly-trained contender is now 12lb lower than when a length second at 18/119.00 in a competitive Ascot handicap two years ago, and, although older now and past his peak, could be able to make his presence felt from a low mark in conditions that suit.

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Fairyhouse, 15:52 - Back Give Her Hollie E/W @ 8/19.00

Cian Collins-trained Give Her Hollie emerged with plenty of credit from a promising fourth-placed effort at Down Royal when last seen. Wearing first-time blinkers, she was able to outrun odds of 66/167.00 to make the frame, beaten only seven-and-a-half-lengths by Boston Bobby when partnered by 4lb claiming Finn Brickley.

The six-year-old had shown little form prior to that effort, but different tactics were adopted from her previous run as she was patiently ridden towards the rear of the field, making up ground late. The headgear may have sparked some improvement, too, and it remains on here as she attempts to shed her maiden tag at the ninth attempt.

If she can take a step forward from her recent outing, Give Her Hollie could be worth keeping the faith in. She's on an unchanged mark with her returning rider claiming 7lb this time around, and could put in a bold bid.

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Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

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