Michael McGavin

Friday's horse racing thread 🧵 Doncaster 2.50 Tormund Giantsbane 2/1 Newbury 3.00 Miami Magic 10/11 NAP Doncaster 3.22 Minella Jury 9/2 each way Lingfield 4.20 Regal Ulixes 9/4 Newbury 4.43 Tiny Tetley 14/1 each way Wolverhampton 8.15 Aneirin's Sword 13/8 NEXT BEST Quay Item looks a nice prospect too but at 2/1 I have to play TORMUND GIANTSBANE as he is still armed with a great deal of potential himself. He was really impressive winning on hurdles debut at Carlisle and then just ran too keen and didn't jump as well when fourth at Sandown. That was obviously a tough ask anyway behind No Drama This End and back in these calmer waters with more to come he should get back on track. If he settles he will love this trip and I think he represents great value. Hard to look past MIAMI MAGIC here. He thrashed Regent's Stroll to win by 4 lengths at Cheltenham last month and then ran well in defeat to finish third behind Sixmilebridge and Kala Conti in the Scilly Isles at Sandown when last seen. This is much easier and he sets a clear standard on what he has achieved so far. He has only actually had the four starts over fences so there could be further improvement to come yet especially upped in trip here. Wyenot will go hard so he will get a nice trip into it as well. This race has a nice each way feel to it and I'm firmly in the MINELLA JURY camp. This horse impressed winning on hurdles debut at Uttoxeter and then I thought inexperience got the better of him in a better race last time. He goes handicapping now and the likelihood is there is plenty more to come yet. The more rain the better as I do think he is suited by softer ground and at the prices he looks the play as if conditions deteriorate I can see him getting backed in. I wouldn't judge REGAL ULIXES too harshly on that reappearance run at Newcastle. I know he was heavily backed that day but to me he shaped like he needed the run and I expect him to leave that behind now. He remains completely unexposed over a mile and a quarter and I can see Lingfield suiting him better as well. They will be hoping he can get back on track here before targeting some nice pots down the line. Connections think a lot of him and are hopeful he gets back to his best here. Taking a chance on TINY TETLEY bouncing back to form here. He remains quite lightly raced for his age and while he hasn't shown a great deal this season he looked in the process of going close over fences at Ludlow before a shuddering error ended his race and he was pulled up. He has disappointed back over hurdles since but down 3lb and with Callum Pritchard great value for his 3lb claim he appeals as being overpriced here. The yard won this last year with Wonderful Eagle and they seem to be hitting form of late too which is another positive. I'm definitely sticking with ANEIRIN'S SWORD here. I know he has finished second on the last three occasions but he hasn't done much wrong and was only denied a neck at Lingfield last time. The fourth Who's On First has come out and won since so the form is really stacking up. He is off an unchanged mark and in first-time cheekpieces could be ready to strike again with Sean Levey up. This looks easier and there shouldn't be any excuses now.

Thursday's horse racing thread 🧵 Ludlow 2.42 Love Of Neymore 3/1 Ludlow 3.52 Little Pi 9/4 NEXT BEST Taunton 4.01 Clotilda 5/1 each way Chelmsford 6.00 Arklow Lad 6/4 NAP To go down just 4 lengths or so to Ma Shantou at Cheltenham last month was a big effort from LOVE OF NEYMORE and she looks the one to beat in this. I know things didn't go to plan at Chepstow where she unseated at the start but if she jumps off here she looks to have plenty going for her. She showed a good attitude to win at Chepstow earlier in the season and if this becomes a slog she should come out on top. I thought LITTLE PI deserved to get his head in front at Huntingdon last time. He ran well at massive odds at Hereford and then bumped into Albie Littlewood who has won again since and is clearly a well handicapped horse. He travelled into it well last time and was much the best on the day. He remains well treated on old form and connections have found a good opportunity to follow up here. Harry Cobden seems to be riding out his skin at the moment and CLOTILDA appeals here. She ran well at Exeter and then bumped into Alfie's Princess at Wincanton on penultimate start. She still seemed to be going well when coming down last time and if okay after that fall could get seriously involved here. There is a lot of pace on and that should suit her. This ARKLOW LAD is just the type trainer Mick Appleby does well with and a mark of just 75 now switched to the AW could easily be workable. He impressed winning a maiden in Ireland last year and went close off a mark of 74 on handicap debut. I know he wasn't at his best on final outing but he has been given time since and has found a winnable opportunity here first time out for this yard.