Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including Newbury fancies

Newbury, 14:55 - Back Storm Point @ 11/26.50

Making only his sixth racecourse start, Storm Point could be capable of showing plenty of further progression beyond a rating of 73, having shown promise and winning ability already this term. He enjoyed a successful reappearance at Kempton in April, when shedding his maiden tag following a gelding operation and 114-day break, upped 4lb for his first career win.

When last seen at Lingfield, he was sent off as the 2/13.00 joint-favourite under Kieran Shoemark, who is aboard once again, but failed to get the run of things, luckless in the closing stages in a run worth putting a line through.

From an unchanged mark, the son of Blue Point should be able to make his presence felt as he remains completely unexposed with the scope for further progression. His maiden win has already been franked by the second and third, Lion Of Mali and Pints In Peace, and, on the back of a luckless run, this could be a feasible opportunity for the Ed Walker-trained contender.

Newbury, 15:30 - Back Brian E/W @ 17/29.50

Four-year-old gelding Brian could be worth keeping the faith in as things haven't quite fallen right for him so far this term. He has shown plenty of ability in the past and has now dropped in the weights to a rating of 90, 5lb lower than when second to subsequent winner Headmaster, now rated 8lb higher, and when ahead of a number of horses who have franked the form, including Glenfinnan and Telemark, over this course-and-distance in the autumn.

The son of Shaman had finished a two-length fourth in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial earlier in the term, before finishing a decent fifth to Aramram, who has since landed Listed honours, in an Ascot handicap. He shaped with promise as a juvenile for former trainer Sylvester Kirk, showing form with Lady With The Lamp on debut before being narrowly denied by subsequent Group Two winner Cool Hoof Luke and finishing third in the Chesham Stakes, as well as being just beaten when luckless in a Group Three following a valuable auction success.

There could be more to come from Brian, who now represents Stan Moore, and, from a workable mark with course form, he could be worth keeping onside under David Probert in this 7f contest.

Newbury, 15:30 - Back Spangled Mac E/W @ 18/119.00

Likeable gelding Spangled Mac is another to consider in this 7f handicap, with course-and-distance winning form in his favour. His latest run at Chester is worth forgiving as he had a tricky wide draw to overcome and was unable to get into a favourable position, and has shown he still retains plenty of ability with promising efforts in Bahrain earlier in the year.

The seven-year-old is 8lb lower than his last domestic handicap success, and is on the same mark as when narrowly denied by Betsen at Southwell in November. He's on a rating from which he can be competitive, as shown previously, and should be capable of bouncing back to form following a couple of below par efforts.

Newbury, 16:05 - Back Wild Clary @ 4/15.00

Richard Hannon-trained contender Wild Clary has been running consistently well over the past year or so, making the frame in most of his runs whilst also getting off the mark in a Southwell maiden. He has been competitive from a similar handicap rating in recent outings and is dropping back down in class following a third-placed effort to Realign at Carlisle.

The son of Dark Angel could still be on an upward trajectory and may be worth keeping the faith in under Sean Levey. He's on a mark from which he can pose a threat and usually puts in a bold bid, making him an attractive proposition in this company.

Leopardstown, 18:30 - Back Shoot To Kill E/W @ 14/115.00

Nine-year-old gelding Shoot To Kill has returned to form of late and could be worth keeping onside on the back of two placed efforts at Roscommon and Down Royal respectively. His mark is unchanged from his latest run, on a rating of 70 currently, 10lb below his last handicap win, and 5lb claimer Patrick McGettigan retains the ride.

Currently in good form, the likeable Noel Kelly-trained contender is one to note and could return to the winners' enclosure soon. He's a formidable performer on his day, who can outrun his odds, and, on the back of his latest two promising runs, could be able to strike from a workable mark.

Leopardstown, 18:30 - Back Loingseoir E/W @ 12/113.00

Experienced veteran Loingseoir emerged with credit from his latest outing over course-and-distance when fourth here to Bella Isabella recently. He stuck to the task well from the rear of the field and, from a 2lb lower rating with Jack Cleary taking over in the saddle, the 10-year-old could improve on the effort back in calmer waters.

Only 2lb higher than his last win, Loingseoir makes appeal at the weights for Michael Grassick as he bids for an eighth career success, and could put his vast amount of experience to good use in his 76th start.

Leopardstown, 19:30 - Back Coeur d'Or @ 9/43.25

Third to Final Voyage in a competitive Cork handicap when last seen, Coeur d'Or could go a couple of places better this time around. He's a course-and-distance winner who is on a workable mark on a going day, despite being winless since 2023.

This could be a feasible opportunity for the 10-year-old to land another success, and he may be worth keeping onside after such a brilliant effort in his latest run. He was able to perform well in most of his runs last term, despite failing to finish in front, emerging with credit from big-field handicaps when able to make the frame, and only narrowly denied at Punchestown following a length defeat in a 15-runner field at the Curragh.

The Dermot Weld-trained gelding possesses enough ability to land a race of this nature and could pose a threat.

Worcester, 19:42 - Back Shallow River @ 10/34.33

Shallow River performed with some credit following a lengthy 510-day absence when sixth at Hexham last month. He's entitled to come on plenty for his return to action and, with cheekpieces reapplied, could pick up where he left off from a similar mark to his latest win. 

The 10-year-old appeared progressive prior to his absence, and has proven form from a similar mark. He has proven his staying credentials, too, and should be suited by this challenge for Olly Murphy in the hands of champion jockey Sean Bowen.

Worcester, 20:17 - Back Son Of Hypnos E/W @ 20/121.00

Another contender to consider on the Worcester card is Son Of Hypnos, who has lacked consistency recently but is dropping back down in trip and did shape with promise over an extended two miles at Exeter in his penultimate start. He proved on that occasion that he's still capable of putting in a competitive effort, when beaten eight-lengths at 33/134.00 in third in a higher class contest.

Whilst he wasn't able to build on that effort in his subsequent start at Warwick, the drop back in trip could help and he may be worth keeping the faith in. He was a useful performer for his former trainer Kevin Michael Smith and was able to show ability from a higher rating.

The nine-year-old could still be capable of posing a threat from a workable mark, and warrants each-way consideration under 7lb claiming Jack Stenhouse.

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