Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including 20/1 Kempton pick

• Katie Midwinter has selections at three tracks

• A number of fancies on a busy evening at Kempton

• Starman can sparkle in Catterick contest

• For the latest Betfair Racing odds click here

• Click here for more racing betting tips

---

Catterick, 15:10 - Back Starman E/W @ 14/115.00

Ten-year-old gelding Starman returned to form with a creditable second from his current mark of 104 in his penultimate start over this course-and-distance, beaten only half-a-length by winner Supreme George. He stayed on well to make up late ground, closing at the line, and, despite failing to build on that effort in a first-time tongue-tie in his subsequent start, could be worth keeping the faith in with the tongue-tie taken off this time.

The likeable grey was often worth following when trained in Ireland by Anthony McCann and previously Declan Queally. He started his career with Willie Mullins, making only one appearance for the Closutton yard when fifth in a Punchestown bumper back in 2021.

A three-time winner, Starman has amassed plenty of valuable experience throughout his career and is currently on a rating from which he can be competitive, as proven at this venue recently. He holds solid claims at the weights under 7lb claiming Felix Foster, and should put in a bold bid for trainer Joanna Foster.

---

Naas, 17:22 - Back Brandt @ 7/18.00

Cian Collins-trained Brandt is returning from a 165-day break in this handicap hurdle. He hasn't made much impression in recent outings, but is on a lenient mark considering his last handicap chase win, when successful at Leopardstown off 110 last spring, and, if transferring that level of form to hurdling, shouldn't be discounted.

This time last year, the son of Affinsea was seen to great effect, finishing second twice in 14 and 19-runner fields, respectively, before landing a valuable success in the Dublin National. This may be his time of year and this looks a feasible opportunity if performing to anywhere near his level of twelve months ago.

---

Kempton, 18:00 - Back Cavolo Nero @ 7/18.00

Top weight Cavolo Nero is one to note for James Ferguson in this mile handicap at Kempton Park. He is on a mark of 86 from which he should be competitive following a third-placed effort at Lingfield from the same rating.

The four-year-old was tried in first-time cheekpieces when last seen, headgear which remains on here, and could put in another competitive effort on the back of a break. He ran well first time out last year, winning on debut at Southwell, therefore has form fresh and could be ready to strike on his return to action under Daniel Muscutt.

The son of Make Believe, who fetched 55,000gns as a yearling, remains unexposed in handicap company and could be well treated from his current mark. He finished second to the likes of now 96-rated Stateira and now 90-rated Power Fizz during his debut campaign, whilst also recording two successes and beaten less than five-lengths in a competitive handicap at Glorious Goodwood from a 2lb higher mark.

There could be further improvement to come from this lightly raced contender, who warrants consideration in his reappearance outing.

---

Kempton, 18:30 - Back Gallant @ 5/23.50

Course-and-distance winner Gallant put in a competitive effort at Chelmsford when last seen, beaten only half-a-length by Dyrholaey. He remains on an unchanged mark of 86 here, in familiar surroundings, and should be able to pose a threat under Tom Marquand. 

The Oli Rix-trained contender showed great potential for former trainer Andrew Balding, including when beating now 105-rated West Acre in a novice event at this track during his juvenile campaign. He was able to record another success in handicap company as a three-year-old last year, as well as finishing fourth in a higher class handicap to Double Rush. 

Still lightly raced, there could be more to come from Gallant, who appears to have the ability required to at least make the frame here as he bids for a third career win.

---

Kempton, 19:00 - Back Mr Lightside E/W @ 20/121.00

Equipped with first-time blinkers in his second run following a gelding operation, Mr Lightside could be worth keeping onside for Mick Appleby in the hands of Harry Davies.

The four-year-old is on a workable mark on a rating of 81, potentially well treated at the weights at this level, dropping in class from his latest run at Chelmsford. He was rated as high as 103 as a juvenile after finishing a length third to Big Mojo in the Molecomb Stakes, before finishing fourth to Tropical Storm in a Listed York event which also featured a future Breeders' Cup winner in Magnum Force.

Last year, the son of Earthlight was able to hold his own at Listed level again when behind the same rival at the same venue on the Knavesmire. He hasn't been in quite the same form since, but, having shown a great level of talent in the past, cannot be discounted from a much lower rating in calmer waters.

This may be a feasible opportunity for Mr Lightside to return to the winners' enclosure and the addition of new headgear could spark some improvement. He makes each-way appeal and should be dangerous if able to bounce back to some form.

---

Kempton, 19:30 - Back River Spey @ 4/15.00

Three-year-old gelding River Spey could have too much class for the opposition in this 6f sprint. He's on a workable mark of 84 with in-form 5lb claimer Ashley Lewis in the saddle, putting him in with solid claims at the weights for Ed Walker.

The son of Sergei Prokofiev has been running consistently well since being gelded last summer. He finished third to now 95-rated Stellar Sunrise and now 86-rated Naval Light when outrunning odds of 66/167.00 in a Goodwood maiden, before finishing a good fourth to Ruby's Angel in a competitive York handicap, beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length in a performance worth upgrading.

Yet to be fully exposed, on the back of a comfortable maiden win last autumn, River Spey should be well treated from his current rating and should make his presence felt if ready following a break. He must defy a 146-day absence, but could have too much ability for his rivals, capable of putting in a bold bid.

---

Kempton, 20:30 - Back Griselda E/W @ 15/28.50

Four-year-old filly Griselda has struggled to make a huge impression for Henrietta Knight so far since joining her current yard from the George Scott stable, but has shaped with some promise in recent runs, often running well despite finishing down the field.

At Lingfield in January, the daughter of Kodi Bear was beaten only four-and-a-half-lengths when failing to get a clear and favourable run late on, catching the eye in defeat at odds of 28/129.00. Things must fall right for the filly if she is to return to the winners' enclosure, but she may find more luck in this sphere, in even calmer waters having been running in handicaps.

Once rated as high as 84, the filly is now rated 50 and may need a confidence booster before returning to handicap company, in which her mark would appear lenient. She's dropping down a furlong to 7f here and wears a tongue-tie along with her usual cheekpieces.

---

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!

---