Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Edgewater Drive is respected in his course and distance hat-trick bid but preference instead goes to RUNNINWILD (best priced at 7/2) who runs here from 2lbs “well in” at the weights following his win in an apprentice handicap on Saturday. The Ann Duffield trained six-year-old hadn’t won since August 2022 but as a result had dropped down from a mark of 76 to 63 before beating the legend Brian The Snail in first time cheekpieces over this course and distance. 
Runninwild showed a great attitude to win by ¾ length that day and off the same mark he should prove hard to beat with Zak Wheatley able to claim 3lbs this time. 
 

On all known figures LEAD ARTIST (best priced at 13/8) has lots to find with the likes of Bold Style and Kitty Rose but he is a colt full of potential. The John & Thady Gosden trained three-year-old finished a close 2nd on his debut in the Wood Ditton before emphatically reversing form with the winner that day at York on his next start. 
Lead Artist stretched clear late on at the Dante festival to win by 4 ¾ lengths to record a high RPR of 104 in a novice race. He handled the track well at Newmarket on his debut so that is no concern and it would be disappointing if he couldn’t take this step up in class.  
 

This looks a competitive 0-75 handicap but preference goes to GISELLES DEFENCE (best priced at 3/1) who runs here from 8lbs “well in” at the weights. The Ian Williams trained four-year-old has been in good form this season with form figures of 2169212 particularly on his previous two starts with Joe Leavy in the saddle. The pair won by 6 ½ lengths at Epsom off a mark of 71 a week ago before finishing 2nd at Beverley on Saturday. 

Giselles Defence is turned out again quickly in this race and he should prove hard to beat if he can reproduce the form of his Epsom triumph off the same mark.