David Ord was among the winners on Wednesday (3/1 and 4/7) - check out Matt Brocklebank's tips from around the tracks on Thursday.
Thursday selections
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook | Free bets
BEERWAH - 15:58 Redcar (NAP)
With the stalls on the stands' side, gate 10 is a plus for BEERWAH and John and Sean Quinn's four-year-old is 1lb well-in on the back of his improved effort when second at Doncaster on seasonal debut. The son of Mehmas struggled a bit at three but that can happen with handicap sprinters and he's seemingly found his sort of level now he's matured a bit.
WEDGEWOOD - 16:05 Lingfield
Tuscan Point, officially 2lb ahead of the handicapper following last week's head second, seems likely to go off favourite here but it would be dangerous to take on WEDGEWOOD, who might have the edge tactically under Luke Morris. The mate kept on well for the same jockey when winning over course and distance a month ago and a 2lb rise doesn't look insurmountable.
ZIGHY - 16:57 Yarmouth
It's obviously a big week for George Boughey as he seeks more Classic success at Newmarket and ZIGHY was his most recent winner when landing a Southwell sprint handicap on April 15. The filly has gone up 6lb in the ratings but is clearly on the improve, having opened her juvenile account at the end of last year, and getting back on the grass is no bad thing as she was placed three times at this venue last summer prior to the switch to all-weather action.
RECOBELLA - 17:52 Southwell
Phil Kirby's RECOBELLA gets the vote here. She's hardly something of a winning machine but did register a victory over 10 furlongs at Nottingham last summer and she's on a fair mark based on last month's one-length third in a 14-runner handicap at Doncaster. She looked a bit unlucky in the run on Town Moor too and could be hard to contain with a clear run off just a 1lb higher mark here.
SEA FOUNDER - 19:15 Kempton
Oisin Murphy has won on SEA FOUNDER in the past and gets back on board Richard Hughes' four-year-old at Kempton, where he was beaten just over a length over this course and distance two starts ago. He's back down in trip after not a bad effort over further at Lingfield last time although the ease in grade may be more of a pointer towards this horse's claims.
Friday selections
LA BOTTE – 15:45 Ascot (NAP)
Harry Eustace has saddled Docklands to finish second in this race the last two years, but LA BOTTE, who is in a very similar mould to his stablemate, is fancied to go one place better in this year’s renewal.
He was an excellent second in the Britannia at Royal Ascot over this course and distance last summer and he was arguably unlucky not to prevail that day, meeting trouble in running on more than one occasion, particularly entering the final furlong which halted his momentum and he was only beaten a neck.
La Botte caught the eye in a big way on his return in a handicap at Wolverhampton, too, running a race full of promise which resulted in him starting favourite for the Lincoln at Doncaster. Things didn’t go to plan that day, perhaps encountering ground softer than good for the first time a factor, but his previous form in the book make him look very interesting now moving into listed company.
The return to Ascot will be in his favour, particularly given how he’s ridden, and there should be enough pace to aim at in this for him to show his true colours. This will likely set him up for Royal Ascot, for which I think he has the ability to mix it in a Queen Anne, and a big run is expected returned to faster ground.
VINCENZO PERUGGIA – 14:55 Newmarket
VINCENZO PERUGGIA is an excellent type physically – as you would expect costing 550,000 guineas as a yearling – and he caught my eye when winning at Beverley on his second start last year.
It’s best to forgive his run in the Vintage Stakes after, probably flying too high at that point of his career, but also not getting the smoothest run and still looking inexperienced.
There was plenty to like about his return effort at Musselburgh in a race the yard have an excellent record in, though, headed only inside the final furlong having come with what looked like a winning run.
Such is his size, he’s sure to have come forward for that outing, and he’s a horse who has the potential to go on to bigger and better things this season. Vincenzo Peruggia glided on good to firm ground at Beverley last year and, provided he handles the track, a bold bid looks assured now returned to a quicker surface.
LUX AETERNA – 17:00 Goodwood
LUX AETERNA showed just minor promise in his first three starts, but he proved a different proposition on his first start since being gelded and handicap debut at Wolverhampton at the end of March and is now one to firmly to keep on side.
The step up in trip clearly suited but he left the impression he’s some way ahead of his mark with the manner in which he came from the rear of the field in a steadily-run race to win readily.
The form of that race isn’t strong, and he takes on better opposition now, but he was head and shoulders above his opposition last time, and the feeling is a subsequent 6lb rise greatly underestimates him.
MAO SHANG WONG – 17:20 Newcastle
MAO SHANG WONG’s form appeared to have plateaued at the beginning of the year, but the drop into 0-65 company worked the oracle when opening his account over this course and distance in March.
He won with plenty in hand on that occasion, and his win at Doncaster last time was arguably even more impressive. Mao Shang Wong was given an ultra-confident ride by his apprentice rider, still having plenty of ground to make up around two furlongs out, but he finished with a real flourish, hitting the front 100 yards out and idling once he had.
The track at Lingfield probably didn’t suit Mao Shang Wong’s run style next time and a line can be put through that performance, and he left the impression he’s still in top form over a mile and a half at this course last time, the trip clearly proving a step to far for him.
The return to this shorter distance can see him in a better light and I’m convinced he’s still a well-handicapped horse from a mark of 75 with the style of his Doncaster success still fresh in the memory.
JEFFERY’S CROSS – 19:25 Warwick
JEFFERY’S CROSS finished runner-up in this race (when run at Cheltenham) 12 months ago and he is taken to go one place better now in what looks a lesser renewal.
He has a fine record in hunters, with three wins and four placed efforts from seven starts, and he arrives in excellent form having been successful at Southwell and Newbury the last twice.
The return to this longer trip will be no problem, particularly at this sharper track, and he should have too much class for these.
Want to know more about horse welfare within our sport?
2025-26 winners (Naps competition Oct 19 - Apr 25)
- Magician Of Riga 3/1
- As Fast As Wind 4/7
- Moonhill Lass 9/4
- Naga 2/1 (NAP)
- Treasure Islands 10/1
- The Kemble Brewery 6/4
- The Dog Thief 2/1
- Naval Tribute 9/4 (NAP)
- Service Minimum 13/8
- The Egyptian Ginge 10/3
- Barlovento 5/2
- Enter Sandman 9/2
- Sea Invasion 9/4
- Granny Hawkins 7/2 (NAP)
- Murashah 9/4
- Alsakib 11/4
- Justcallmepete 13/2
- Our Guide 8/11
- Riskintheground 4/1 (NAP)
- Evening Saigon 6/4
- Fort Augustus 12/1
- Peaky Blinder 5/4
- Ferret Jeeter 4/5
- Secret Des Dieux 5/2
- Ballynaheer 5/1
- Overabottleofred 9/4
- Storm Point 4/1 (NAP)
- Simplify 13/2
- Tyson 8/11
- Service Minimum 8/15 (NAP)
- Jack Hyde 7/4
- Power Fizz 2/1 (NAP)
- Daylatedollarshort 9/4
- Codetalker 6/1
- Alther Warden 2/1
- Joyeaux Machin 7/2
- Rath Gaul Hill 100/30
- Magnetude evens (NAP)
- Boultydoolin 8/11 (NAP)
- Hello Sweety 6/5
- Cuban Court 10/11
- Yorkshire Glory 6/5
- Madara 3/1 (NAP)
- Champion Again Ole 7/4
- Let It Rain 5/2 (NAP)
- Kap Vert 6/5
- Elements Of Fire 4/1
- Scorpio Rising 9/2 (NAP)
- Falco Des Pins 9/5
- Platin Moon 11/4
- Bergamo Gold 17/2
- Nikovo 15/8
- Saffron Dandy 25/1
- Blue Carpet 5/1
- I Am Me 2/1
- Delgany Deadline 3/1 (NAP)
- Kool Kid 9/4
- La Luna Artista 15/2 (NAP)
- Bank On Frank 2/1 (NAP)
- Forglen 5/2
- Pretending 10/1 (NAP)
- Flowstate 100/30
- Milcree 85/40 (NAP)
- Borgi 8/1 (NAP)
- Kel Du Large 3/1
- Wicksey 11/8
- Alondra 8/1
- Himself 5/4
- Maria Da Silva 7/4
- Ballin Boy 9/2
- Harbour Vision 6/1
- La Higuera 5/2 (NAP)
- Lord Capulet 6/4
- Made U Blush 11/2 (NAP)
- Eupator 11/8
- Kazar Forez 5/6
- Newton Tornado 9/2
- Ladronne 6/4
- Bel Ombre 85/40
- Morrophore 6/5
- Lewisham Grove 9/4
- Maximising 15/2
- Big Zouk 11/8 (NAP)
- Silver Thorn 3/1
- Merrimack 13/8 (NAP)
- My Champion 11/4
- Fasol 4/1
- Nebras 7/2
- Mapledurham 5/2
- Soldierofthestorm 9/4
- Lake Como 11/10
- Ballymackie 5/6 (NAP)
- Kruger Park 3/1
- Indeevar Blue 9/2
- Kitzbuhel 13/8
- Gazette Bourgeoise 7/2
- Supreme Malinas 7/2
- Heart Over Head 4/1
- Saint Cyr De Pail 7/2
- Westcombe 7/4
- Intervention 7/2
- One Big Bang 8/11
- Zryan 4/1
- David's Well 6/4 (NAP)
- Atreides 5/4
- Salver 6/4 (NAP)
- Castanea Breeze 3/1
- Ribble Vibe 6/4
- Medieval Gold 6/5
- Fierce Warrior 11/10
- Mambonumberfive 5/2 (NAP)
- Bibendum 85/40
- Seasmoke 10/3
- Teardrops 2/1
- Secret Vino 11/2
- Blenkinsop 7/4 (NAP)
- Roaring Conquest 6/4
- Molto Bene 7/4
- Nocte Volatus 11/4
- Sparkling Duke 9/2
- Chuggy 11/10
- Germanic 3/1
- Special John evens
- Fat Harry 5/4 (NAP)
- Formel Park 3/1 (NAP)
- Sixmilebridge 6/4 (NAP)
- On The Go 2/1 (NAP)
- Ikarak 13/8
- Clearpoint 3/1
- Bahadur 2/1 (NAP)
- L'Empire Vert 3/1 (NAP)
- Without Compromise 2/1
- Solarize 3/1
- Hartington 7/1
- Bloodsweatandtyres 9/2
- Pep Talking 13/2
- Tigers Moon 8/11
- Sea Poetry 2/1
- Fine Interview 7/2
- American Flight 7/1 (NAP)
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
