Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Thursday including Newmarket fancy

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Newmarket, 13:50 - Back First Legion E/W @ 14/115.00

Mehmas colt First Legion makes each-way appeal for Richard Hannon in Thursday's sprint opening 6f contest. He was highly tried as a juvenile, making seven starts, but was unable to add another win to his name following a debut success at York.

Despite only recording one success, First Legion did put in a number of good efforts including when second to Anthelia in Listed company at Sandown. He also put in creditable efforts at Deauville and York in subsequent runs, and could be well treated from a rating of 92 here.

The yard's horses have generally been running quite well on the whole recently, and First Legion could put in a competitive effort under Shane Foley as he bids to make a winning start to his three-year-old campaign.

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Newmarket, 13:50 - Back Boston Dan E/W @ 28/129.00

Boston Dan is another to consider each-way in Newmarket's opener, representing the training partnership of Richard and Peter Fahey. He shaped with promise as a juvenile last term, finishing second at odds of 66/167.00 in the valuable Harry's Half Million By Goffs at York's Ebor Festival, and placed in Listed company later that season as well as landing a maiden win at Hamilton.

Whilst he'll need to prove himself in handicap company from a mark of 97, he is unexposed and there's substance to his form, therefore he could be able to outrun his odds on his seasonal return under Oisin Orr.

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Newmarket, 15:00 - Back Jasour @ 15/28.50

Jasour made a pleasing return to action when second to Aramram on his return in Listed company at Doncaster last month, putting in a good effort on the back of a 259-day break. He had previously finished a decent sixth to No Half Measures in the July Cup, running on well but unable to get involved following a slow start.

In his earlier days, the son of Havana Grey shaped with plenty of promise, claiming Group Two success over Lake Forest as a juvenile before adding a Group Three to his name during his subsequent campaign as well as finishing third to Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup and sixth to Mill Stream in the July Cup.

Although he wasn't quite as impressive in subsequent runs in deep company, the five-year-old proved last term that he still retains ability with some decent performances and could be capable of better. He's entitled to take a step forward from his first run of the season and may be able to pose a threat for Clive Cox in this Group Three contest.

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Newmarket, 15:35 - Back Avicenna @ 11/26.50

The Craven Stakes has attracted a field of seven this year including a couple of unbeaten contenders as well as Group One winner Hawk Mountain, who represents Aidan O'Brien. Roger Varian is represented by exciting colt Avicenna, who makes the most appeal in this field, bidding to maintain his unbeaten record by recording a third successive victory.

The son of Starspangledbanner won twice at Doncaster last year over 7f, including when staying on nicely in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes to beat the reopposing Hankelow, a subsequent Group Three winner.

Although he showed signs of greenness that day, he was able to achieve a Stakes level victory in good fashion, finishing strongly to prevail on the line. The form has been significantly franked and there could be plenty of further improvement to come from him, still unexposed in only his third outing.

The 450,000gns purchase is related to a number of black-type achievers including the 1998 winner of this race, Xaar, who had previously claimed two Group One contests as a juvenile. He's also a distant relative to high achiever Cityscape and Bated Breath, among many other talented Juddmonte horses.

Nicely bred and having already shown to possess plenty of ability, Avicenna could make a successful step up in grade here under Ray Dawson, and pose a threat to the main market principles on his seasonal return.

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Ripon, 15:45 - Back American Style E/W @ 10/111.00

Four-year-old gelding American Style won on his reappearance over course-and-distance at this meeting last year when rated 7lb lower. He was able to perform consistently well in subsequent runs before two disappointing efforts at the end of the term, in a tough Listed contest at Bro Park which may be worth forgiving.

The son of Washington DC is only 2lb higher than when second in a higher class handicap at Newmarket in May, beaten only a length by Marchogion that day, and on the same rating of 85 as when fifth in an 18-runner handicap at York the following month.

On a workable mark with course form and winning form when fresh, there's plenty to like about American Style's chances and he could return to the winners' enclosure in this 6f sprint for Kevin Ryan.

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Ripon, 16:16 - Back Lunar Eclipse E/W @ 12/113.00

Another Kevin Ryan-trained contender who makes appeal at Ripon is five-year-old mare Lunar Eclipse, another making her seasonal return following a 140-day break. She needs to rediscover form having failed to perform to the best of her ability during the latter stages of last year, but is well treated from a mark of 82 if she can bounce back following a break.

The daughter of Night Of Thunder shaped with some potential earlier in her career, and showed she still retains ability with two good efforts last summer at Hamilton where she finished second and third respectively, including placing from her current mark.

If Lunar Eclipse can return to that level of form she holds a strong chance under Shane Gray, who has been among the winners recently.

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Limerick, 16:30 - Back The Little Yank E/W @ 50/151.00

Only 1lb higher than his last winning mark, with John Aherne claiming 7lb in the saddle once again, 11-year-old veteran The Little Yank could return to form for John Patrick Ryan. He has failed to complete in three recent outings but is better than shown on those occasions and won as recently as January over a similar distance at Clonmel.

Dropping in trip following a short break, The Little Yank can use his stamina to good effect late on and may be capable of outrunning his odds from a workable mark. He's a likeable performer who had been running quite consistently well prior to this disappointing run, and has the ability and attitude to bounce back to form.

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