Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Lightonthewing bids for a hat-trick of wins this month but preference instead goes to CAPTAIN CLAUDE (best priced at 13/8) who, like the favourite, runs from 4lbs “well in” at the weights. The Anthony Honeyball trained seven-year-old ended 2023 with two victories at this track including an impressive 11 length win over this distance of 3m2f. That victory came off a mark of 93 and he has since run well to finish 3rd over 2m5f here beaten only two lengths and 2nd at Wincanton when beaten eight lengths. 

The winner that day No Hubs No Hoobs responded well to first time blinkers and has since followed up at the same course and distance and is now rated 14lbs higher. With Captain Claude running off a mark of 100 once again rather than his official rating of 104 then he should be able to upset the favourite back at this track.

This looks a weaker 0-100 handicap hurdle than the one KINDER KID (best priced at 6/4) won over this course and distance nine days ago and he should prove hard to beat under a 7lb penalty. The Tina Jackson trained six-year-old was racing over 3 miles for the first time under rules that day and he ran out an impressive seven length winner off a mark of 90.

The handicapper has raised Kinder Kid 9lbs up to a mark of 99 but he instead runs here under a 7lb penalty so he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights. Ross Chapman retains the ride and he should prove hard to beat. 

With Nikovo already a NR in this race, this looks a fantastic opportunity for LOUGH LEANE (best priced at 8/11) to complete a five-timer. The David Simcock trained four-year-old is unbeaten so far this year since being dropped in trip to a mile. Previously campaigned over as far as 1m4f last year, the gelding won at Chelmsford off a mark of 55 before following up at Wolverhampton off a mark of 58.

Lough Leane then won at Newcastle off a mark of 60 under Hayley Turner before putting in a career best performance to win by 4 ¾ lengths at Wolverhampton under a 5lb penalty eight days ago. He runs here from 4lbs “well in” at the weights and should prove hard to beat if coping with yet another different AW track.