Wednesday’s 1,469/1 Lucky 15 – Our UK Racing Best Bets On May 11

Horse Racing Tips on Wednesday, May 11

There are five meetings spread across the UK on Wednesday 11th May, with the action coming from Bath, Newton Abbot, Perth, Worcester and York. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Wednesday Lucky 15.

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Duc De Bourbon (1.10 Worcester) 

Although he has clearly had issues throughout his relatively short career, DUC DE BOURBON is worth supporting as makes his chasing debut on Wednesday afternoon. 

Largely disappointing in the majority of his starts, Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old appeared revitalised following a 133-day break when running away with a handicap hurdle contest over course and distance on his penultimate start. Facing just three rivals on that occasion, the Buck’s Boum gelding sauntered into the lead at the third last flight before cruising clear to record an effortless victory. 

Looking to follow up at Uttoxeter just ten days later, Duc De Bourbon again travelled supremely well throughout the 2m4f contest but ultimately emptied quickly despite looking the likeliest winner turning for home. 

Bred to improve markedly for the switch to fences, Paul Nicholls’ charge seems best when fresh and if the six-year-old is going to register another victory for the champion trainer, chances are it’s going to be on his seasonal return on Wednesday. 

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Gaassee (1.50 York) 

Connections will be expecting big things from GAASSEE this season as the four-year-old returns to the track following an extremely productive three-year-old campaign. 

Unable to make a winning start at Lingfield over ten furlongs last September, the Sea The Stars colt went from strength to strength following that opening third-place effort. Switched to the turf on his second racecourse outing, Gaassee produced a remarkable display to open his account at Chester – thumping his six rivals to run out a wide-margin winner by fifteen lengths. 

Back to back all-weather victories soon followed for William Haggas’ talented colt, including when defeating subsequent three-time winner Trevolli by five lengths at Kempton over twelve furlongs.

With connections taking the race last year with Ilaraab, it’s highly likely that they have had this year’s renewal in mind for Gaassee for quite some time and with plenty of improvement to come as he embarks on his four-year-old season, Gaassee can land his fourth career victory before tackling deeper company in the next few months. 

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Nomadic Empire (2.25 York) 

A wide-open sprint with twenty-two runners scheduled to head to post with plenty holding claims in some shape or form. Course and distance winner NOMADIC EMPIRE might be the one to focus on, however, as David O’Meara’s sprinter returns to the Knavesmire after an eye-catching return to action last month. 

Following 196 days off the track, the improving four-year-old certainly went into many people’s notebooks after finishing an unlucky third over the flying five furlongs at Ripon. Settled towards the rear of the eight-runner field, Nomadic Empire was unable to gain a clear passage inside the final furlong despite travelling ominously well under jockey Jason Watson. 

Nomadic Empire should strip fitter following his seasonal reappearance and will be expected to run another big race at a track where he has course figures of 3-2-3-2-0-7-1-4. 

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Dragon Symbol (3:00 York)

DRAGON SYMBOL enjoyed a productive campaign last season, and while the flying grey colt was unable to get his head in front in Group company last term for previous connections, trainer Roger Varian will be hoping that can quickly change on Wednesday afternoon. 

After bursting onto the sprinting scene with four consecutive victories, Dragon Symbol was thrown into the deep end, lining up in Group company on his following six starts. Despite the significant rise in class, the Cable Bay colt performed admirably and was desperately unlucky not to add to his tally, finishing runner up on four of those occasions including in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and July Cup at Newmarket. 

Third in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes on his only previous visit to York, Roger Varian’s talented sprinter will be expected to return to winning ways as he lines up against Group 2 opposition on Wednesday.