Horse Racing Tips on Thursday, May 12
There are six meetings spread across the UK and Ireland on Thursday 12th May, with the action coming from Clonmel, Fontwell, Newmarket, Perth, Salisbury and York. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Thursday Lucky 15.
Alligator Alley (1.50 York)
There was a lot to like about the performance of ALLIGATOR ALLEY on his belated stable debut for David O’Meara back in March at Wolverhampton.
Returning from an 18-month layoff, the five-year-old ran an encouraging race to finish third and was far from disgraced on his seasonal reappearance behind subsequent winner Highfield Princess and all-weather specialist Tone The Barone.
Formerly trained by Joseph O’Brien, the talented sprinter has some smart form to his name including when chasing home Liberty Beach in Group 3 company at Goodwood as a juvenile, as well as registering a Listed course and distance success on the Knavesmire that same season.
Alligator Alley should have come on plenty for his recent Wolverhampton third and from a potentially lenient looking mark of 95, David O’Meara’s charge could bounce back to winning ways now returning to the scene of his last victory.
Jockey Danny Tudhope can get amongst the winners at York on Thursday afternoon.
Cruyff Turn (3.00 York)
Connections have seemingly targeted CRUYFF TURN at the Class 2 Hambleton Handicap on Thursday and a bold bid will be expected from Tim Easterby’s five-year-old.
After failing to fire in his early outings at two and three, Cruyff Turn improved markedly last season during his four-year-old campaign, landing handicaps at Nottingham, Leicester and Redcar before stepping up in class at York and gamely prevailing in the valuable Clipper Logistics Handicap over course and distance.
Following a 210 day break at Haydock, the useful handicapper shaped in need of the run when finishing sixth behind the progressive Excel Power. Seventh on his most recent start in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, he attracted significant market support close to the off and despite ultimately finishing seventh, he was only beaten two lengths at the line after racing up with the pace.
Cruyff Turn should be spot on for Thursday’s assignment following those recent outings, and with the yard regularly sending out winners on the Knavesmire, the five-year-old is worth definitely supporting at generous odds.
Cruyff Turn will look to give Tim Easterby another notable winner at York.
Divine Jewel (3.10 Salisbury)
DIVINE JEWEL has some lofty entries to her name and trainer Roger Varian clearly expects the filly to take a big step forward as she embarks on her three-year-old campaign.
Twice raced as a juvenile, Divine Jewel produced an eye-catching opening effort at Nottingham over the extended mile last September. Settled towards the rear of the field on that occasion, Roger Varian’s filly kept on well on the far rail despite encountering plenty of trouble in the closing stages and was only narrowly denied on her debut by half a length.
Fancied to make it second time lucky at Redcar, Divine Jewel underperformed when sent off at prohibitive odds, however, that run came just fourteen days after her promising Nottingham effort and a line can probably be drawn through her most recent outing.
Clearly held in very high regard by the Newmarket handler, Divine Jewel will be expected to make an immediate impact on her seasonal comeback and while this appears to be a warm novice contest, Roger Varian’s filly is taken to come out on top before being aimed at bigger targets as the season unfolds.
Trainer Roger Varian can strike at Salisbury on Thursday with Divine Jewel.
Gaelic Arc (5:00 Clonmel)
Although taking on significantly stronger opposition, GAELIC ARC may well be up to defying top weight in this seven-runner novice hurdle after recently opening his account over timber.
The six-year-old was never put into the race on his second hurdle outing when finishing a distant seventh at Limerick back in March, however, John Patrick Ryan’s charge made no mistake at the third time of asking when scoring in convincing style at 25/1 in maiden company at Down Royal when last seen.
With some high-class bumper form to his name, Gaelic Arc should develop into a fairly useful hurdler in time and it will be disappointing if the six-year-old isn’t capable of further progress now that he has got his head in front over timber.