Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Both Sambucus and Izipizi are expected to step forward from their recent efforts but it will be disappointing if the 90-rated CLOVE HITCH (best priced at 1/1) doesn’t get off the mark at the fourth attempt. The Andrew Balding trained filly was a disappointing favourite here on her only start as a juvenile before finishing 3rd behind subsequent Dante Stakes winner Economics over this course and distance on her reappearance.

Clove Hitch bumped into Cat Ninja at Windsor last time when beaten by ½ length but the pair pulled 11 lengths clear of the third that day with both the winner and runner-up looking smart performers. Connections are clearly keen to get a victory on her page before she heads into better races and she should prove hard to beat.

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This looks a competitive 0-65 handicap but the Philip McBride trained RHYTHMIC ACCLAIM (best priced at 9/4) should hold strong claims of completing a four-timer. The four-year-old is thriving at present with two victories at Yarmouth off marks of 55 and 60 before winning in smooth style at Goodwood last time by 1 ¾ lengths under a 5lb penalty. 

Rhythmic Acclaim beat the in-form Connie’s Rose that day in an apprentice handicap and the handicapper has raised her up to a mark of 71 as a result. She instead runs here off her previous adjusted rating of 66 so she is 5lbs “well in” at the weights and she should continue her winning streak under Adam Farragher.

Wonder Kid is respected upped in trip on his handicap debut but LAURA BAY (best priced at 9/4) showed a good attitude to win on her reappearance over 1m2f here and she should relish this step up in trip to 1m4f. She made a winning handicap debut having run with credit on three qualifying runs where she stayed on strongly to beat a fellow handicap debutant Myna by a short head. 

Laura Bay showed her inexperience during the race by racing keenly and hanging late on but she is expected to improve once again for this further step up in trip. A 4lb rise for a short head victory may seem harsh but she won in the style of a filly better than a mark of 72 and she should hold strong claims of following up at this course.

The Rebecca Menzies trained GOLDEN RAINBOW (best priced at 11/4) beat Jacquelina last time in her bid for a five-timer and the form of that run has already been boosted since. Both the second Jacquelina, who won the following day by 3 ½ lengths off a 5lb higher mark, and the third Rainbow Rain, who finished 3rd beaten 1 ¼ lengths on his next start, have already run well out of that race and Golden Rainbow should hold strong claims here under a 5lb penalty.