Another Four meetings go to post across the UK on Thursday, 20th October, with jumps action from Carlisle and Ludlow, plus All-Weather racing from Southwell and Wolverhampton. Our Lucky 15 includes a couple of picks at Carlisle, plus one each from the All-Weather meetings.
Our expert tipster has produced their best bets across the cards, which make up our advised Thursday Lucky 15.
Odds correct at time of posting – 3:50pm Wednesday 19th October
Fringill Dike (2.10 Carlisle) – 4/1
This is a good race, but the one that stands out is FRINGILL DIKE. He bolted up to win on reappearance last month, and a repeat of that performance ought to be enough to win this.
Since going hurdling, he has won three of his five races, placing in one of the other races and unseating the rider on debut. The placed finish was a solid performance, finishing second behind Barrichello, who is now rated 134.
He made all last month and never saw a rival, eventually easing down to win by sixteen lengths. Sean Quinlan was on board that day and has been on board for his last three wins, so it’s a positive he’s been booked again. This will be his handicap debut but he looks a solid bet and can make it a fourth hurdle win from just six races.
Dark Side Thunder (2.30 Southwell) – 9/2
DARK SIDE THUNDER has won three of his four races on the all-weather, including both of his races over C&D, and he looks to be the one to side with in this.
Since returning from a 59 day break, he’s won three of his four races, with the only defeat coming last time out when stepping into class 4 company for the first time. Both C&D victories have been relatively comfortable, so it’s a welcome return that he’s back here and the drop back into class 5 company should see him in a better light.
This is Jessica Macey’s sole runner on Wednesday and she’s had more winners at Southwell this year than at any other racecourse. Her husband Lewis Edmunds has also ridden more winners at Southwell than anywhere else this season and he’s been on board for all eight of Dark Side Thunder’s races. If you add in the gelding’s 100% record over C&D, he rates as one of the more confident picks on the Southwell card.
Rubytwo (3.55 Carlisle) – 7/1
This is an open race, and the one we’ve come down on is RUBYTWO. Nicky Richards mare tends to need her first run following a break so can be forgiven for her fifth-placed finish last month.
Since the application of blinkers has gone on, she’s placed in five of her eight races, and is down to her lowest mark of her career. Considering her sole win came off a mark of 105, you can be sure she’s capable of winning off such a low mark here.
It’s difficult to see her finishing outside the top three, with trainer Nicky Richards winning the last two renewals of the race. He’s got an excellent record in the race and is in top form currently too, winning with three of his last seven runners (43% strike-rate).
Princess Shabnam (7.15 Wolverhampton) – 15/2
The feature race at Wolverhampton looks like one of the better races across the cards on Wednesday, and the one we’re keen on is PRINCESS SHABNAM. She failed to handle the step back into group company last time out but will feel much more at home in this field.
Prior to that run in the G3 Bengough Stakes, she won a good-looking Listed race at Pontefract, beating some quality horses in the process. They include Gale Force Maya (finished 2nd), who went out and won her next two races, and Chil Chil (3rd), who finished fifth in a Group 1 next time out.
Young jockey Adam Farragher is booked for the ride and his 5lb claim is valuable, especially considering his excellent form of late (23% strike-rate in the past two weeks). Princess Shabnam has an AW win to her name already and has the best form on offer here, so rates as the best option to land the feature race, and at a cracking price too!
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