THURSDAY RACING TIPS

15:45 Wetherby

Just the seven runners scheduled to go to post and in truth if would be foolish to completely dismiss any of the septet’s chances. Maid O’Malley is a consistent sort, finishing second in each of her last four runs, and wouldn’t need to find much more to finally break her duck, while Wheesht is also capable of further improvement having only had two chase runs and making the frame in both.

Marta Des Mottes unseated her rider part way round on chase debut last time out but had previously showed plenty of promise over smaller obstacles so deserves a chance to make amends, however for the winner we turn to Spot On Soph who won well over a similar trip at Catterick on penultimate run and also performed with plenty of credit when upped markedly in trip earlier in the month, travelling well and hitting the front with ease only to be pegged back on the run in. The step back in trip should suit and conditions look perfect for another big run.

SPOT ON SOPH (WIN)

16:17 WETHERBY

The Donald McCain yard continue in fine form and run Bird On The Wire who was a convincing winner when stepped up to this trip at Doncaster earlier in the month, beating the re-opposing Ribeye by over four lengths. He’s gone up 5lbs for that effort but was well on top at the finish and the fourth from the race followed up with victory next time out so I expect Bird On The Wire to be more than capable of another victory here.

Should our selection fail to fire then Malinas Island looks most likely to be the benefactor given his last two runs have resulted in a victory at Lingfield in November and a solid enough second at Market Rasen last time out, while Dragoon Springs could also feature if settling better in the early part of the race.

BIRD ON THE WIRE (WIN)

written by Dean Kilbryde