Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including 22/1 Kempton fancy

Bet of the day: Musselburgh, 14:13 - Back Nostrum @ 6/17.00

6 (4)

Nostrum

• J: Alistair Rawlinson
• T: Michael Appleby
• F: 02580005

• SBK 9/2
• EXC 6.2

Bidding for a first win in more than three years, when claiming a Listed success for former trainer Sir Michael Stoute on the July Course in Newmarket, former Group Three winner Nostrum could finally strike again in his 24th career outing. He has dropped to a mark of 80 from a career-high rating of 114 and has shaped with some encouragement in handicaps for Mick Appleby this season, including when chasing home Boyfriend at Sandown in May.

This is a different assignment and could be the perfect opportunity for him to return to the winners' enclosure and gain a confidence boost. The six-year-old gelding has shown he still retains ability and could prove his class in this field for an in-form yard.

Sligo, 15:30 - Back Stuntman Steve @ 5/16.00

2

Stuntman Steve (Ire)

• J: Keith Donoghue
• T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland
• F: 9455-PU53

• SBK 5/1
• EXC 6.4

Equipped with blinkers from a rating of 112, Stuntman Steve is still seeking a first win over fences under Rules which should be within his capabilities.

The point winner has been luckless in this sphere so far, but has shown potential as a chaser and could be well treated from his current rating which is 8lb lower than his hurdling mark. He's a dual winner over timber and is yet to be fully exposed over the larger obstacles, therefore could be capable of showing further improvement for Gavin Cromwell.

The seven-year-old gelding has shaped encouragingly on occasion over fences and has performed well in both of his latest couple of efforts. He finished a good fifth of 16 behind subsequent Galway Hurdle winner Putapoundinthejar in his penultimate run at Bellewstown when back over hurdles, outrunning odds of 28/129.00 that day, and was far from disgraced at Downpatrick when last seen.

Bellewstown, 16:25 - Back Gotta Catch'em All E/W @ 8/19.00

3 (5)

Gotta Catch'em All (Ire)

• J: Siobhan Rutledge
• T: Harry Rogers, Ireland
• F: 61129356

• SBK 9/1
• EXC 9.2

From a mark of 72 under Siobhan Rutledge, Gotta Catch'em All makes appeal at the weights in his 33rd outing.

The six-year-old gelding is 4lb above his last winning mark when beating I Bid You Ajou by a length-and-a-quarter at Naas during the summer, but is 1lb lower than when half-a-length second to Red Evolution, who went on to chase home Coul Angel in a competitive Curragh handicap at the Irish Champions Festival and won a 20-runner handicap at Naas from a rating of 85 last weekend.

Third to Amiata from a 3lb higher mark at Navan last month, the son of Free Eagle was far from disgraced in his penultimate start when fifth of 16 runners but wasn't quite seen to best effect in his latest outing. He could be worth keeping the faith in from a workable rating and could bounce back to form, holding solid claims if back to his best.

Notable winners from Katie in recent weeks

• Haffner @ 4/1
• Tribal Chief @ 10/3
• Dragon Of Malta @ 13/2
• Good Morning Alex @ 14/1
• Copper Knight @ 13/2
• Greydreambeliever @ 5/2
• Tyger Bay @ 14/1
• Who's Glen @ 15/2
• Brian @ 11/2
• Zgharta @ 5/1
• Sunriseontheboyne @ 11/1
• Giant @ 20/1
• Abundant @ 6/1

Sligo, 17:50 - Back The Little Yank E/W @ 12/113.00

10

The Little Yank (Ire)

• J: J. Aherne
• T: John Patrick Ryan, Ireland
• F: PPP-33708

• SBK 12/1
• EXC 18.5

Experienced 11-year-old The Little Yank stuck to the task despite being well beaten at Ballinrobe earlier this month, improving on his effort at Galway.

Earlier in the summer, the likeable veteran proved he still retains ability with a couple of third-placed efforts at Kilbeggan over both hurdles and fences, including when placing at odds of 28/129.00, and, from a workable mark over staying distance, this could suit

Likely to be staying on in the finish in his 111th start, bidding for a ninth career win, the John Patrick Ryan-trained contender is one to note, capable of putting in a creditable effort in the hands of John Aherne.

Kempton, 19:30 - Back Heathcliff E/W @ 22/123.00

1 (5)

Heathcliff

• J: Daniel Muscutt
• T: James Fanshawe
• F: 3-3124704

• SBK 18/1
• EXC 19

Whilst outsider of the field Heathcliff is up against it on paper, he is a hugely talented performer on the all-weather on his day and has winning course form as well as form against tough opposition which could allow him to outrun his odds if things pan out favourably for him.

At a huge price, the five-year-old gelding shouldn't be discounted for James Fanshawe as he has plenty of course experience in his favour and the form of his runs here last autumn into winter have been significantly franked.

Last November, Heathcliff was beaten a neck by Coul Angel, who won at the Irish Champions Festival earlier this month earning himself a rating of 103. He then finished third to El Bodon when just beaten for second by Coul Angel in his subsequent run, before matching that finishing position when behind The Lost King, who has gone up 20lb subsequently with a number of brilliant efforts including a narrow defeat in a Group Three.

Although he'll need plenty to go right for him, Heathcliff could take advantage should the favourites fail to fire and, on this surface, he could pose a threat.

Now read more horse racing columns here