Horse Racing Tips on Thursday, February 17
There are four meetings spread across Britain on Thursday, February 17th with the action coming from Chelmsford, Fontwell, Leicester and Sandown. Our expert tipster has produced their best bets across the cards, which make up our advised Thursday Lucky 15.
Il Re Di Nessuno (1:10 Sandown)
Trainer Gary Moore has his team in decent form currently and the West Sussex handler is doubly represented in Sandown’s opening contest on Thursday. Of the pair, it may pay to take a chance on IL RE DI NESSUNO who has been an infrequent visitor to the track in recent seasons, racing just two times since a pleasing debut in Class 2 company at Sandown back in 2018.
Now at the age of seven, Gary Moore’s charge makes his handicap debut off a mark of 100 in Thursday’s contest and whilst he has fitness to prove returning from a 393-day absence, it’s interesting that connections are still persevering with Il Re Di Nessuno, which suggests connections still see the former flat performer as a fairly useful prospect.
Ground conditions also look key to his chances as he has only appeared on the course when soft or heavy has been in the official going description. It therefore wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if Il Re Di Nessuno outruns his likely odds.
C’est Quelqu’un (2:02 Fontwell)
Sean Curran’s C’EST QUELQU’UN was one of our lucky 15 selections when the five-year-old last run, and it seems folly to dismiss his chances on Thursday as he appears off an identical mark after going down narrowly last time out.
The five-year-old was certainly an eye-catcher on his penultimate start at Chepstow over an extended 2m3f, staying on well in the closing stages despite looking a tricky ride for jockey David Bass.
The drop in trip and first-time blinkers almost worked the oracle at Fontwell earlier this month as C’est Quelqu’un went agonisingly close to landing a first career success, losing out by a head after sticking on resolutely up the run-in over an extended 2m1f.
The attritional conditions should not be an inconvenience for Sean Curran’s charge on Thursday and the five-year-old looks to hold obvious claims and is one of the stronger bets on the card.
Thursday racing best bets. Jockey David Bass can get amongst the winners at Fontwell.
Braveheart (3:30 Sandown)
Although three of the six-strong field are last time out winners, there is still a suspicion that there is significantly more to come from BRAVEHEART on just his third hurdle outing.
The six-year-old ran a promising race for connections on his stable debut in a Sedgefield bumper last October, finishing a clear second behind the progressive A Different Kind trained by Donald McCain.
Following that pleasing start for the yard, Braveheart was soon sent over hurdles for the first time at Taunton and Jamie Snowden’s charge again only found one too good after being outpaced in the closing stages.
A line can be drawn through his latest Wincanton run and now returning after a recent wind operation, Braveheart could prove a different proposition and can confirm the promise of his opening two starts by going one place better for the in-form Jamie Snowden.
Zamani (3:55 Leicester)
This is a very modest handicap chase and a chance is taken on ZAMANI who has run with promise in his last three outings, including over fences when last seen in January.
The six-year-old has only had four career chase starts but after three disappointing efforts over the larger obstacles earlier in the season, Zamani ran an encouraging race at Plumpton last time out to finish second behind impressive winner and chase debutant Minella Hub.
In-form jockey Brendan Powell returns to the saddle on Thursday and was on board for the six-year-olds only career victory back in December 2019. Zamani remains in relatively good form which can not be said for the majority of his seven rivals and David Bridgewaters’ charge appears to have fair claims in opening his account over fences at the fifth time of asking.