Five meetings take place on Thursday across the UK and Ireland. The jumps take a rest day, as the entire quintet are flat cards, with 39 races to enjoy across the board.
GG tipster Joe Napier has selections at Ayr and Yarmouth throughout the afternoon as part of our Thursday lucky 15 tips.
Ayr Racing Tips (Thursday 17 September)
A class 2 handicap in the middle of the card headlines Ayr’s action on Thursday. We have a selection in that race, plus one in the finale.
3.00 Ayr – Wild Thoughts (1pt win – 7/2)
After a game effort in third at the St Leger meeting, Wild Thoughts is 1lb well-in here. Richard Spencer’s charge stormed out the blocks to begin 2026, winning four in a row over 7f-1m. He was then second in a good race at Carlisle before struggling on the July Course. However, plenty have bounced back from disappointing runs there and his form has gathered momentum again since. A respectable effort at Goodwood preceded a runner-up finish behind a progressive type at Newbury, followed by the aforementioned Doncaster third. Those two most recent runs have come over 1m2f, which he remains at here. Conditions are suitable and his improving profile can continue.
5.01 Ayr – Spirit Of Acklam (1pt win – 5/1)
His excellent record at Ayr makes Spirit Of Acklam the right play in the Scottish track’s finale. The son of Cracksman has form figures of 1314 at Ayr in his career. He is rarely punished harshly by the handicapper, but the last two times he has raced off this mark of 79, he has won. One of those came last April at this track over 1m2f. The most recent proved his stamina for this 1m5f trip though, when he won at Hamilton three starts back. A respectable fourth here followed, while his third at Thirsk earlier this month looks likely to work out well. This is technically a rise in class, but that last race may prove the stronger up against younger rivals. Down 1lb off a mark he can demonstrably win off, he looks sure to be a key threat.
Yarmouth Racing Tips (Thursday 17 September)
Across Yarmouth’s seven-race card, we have two tips, running in races four and five.
3.45 Yarmouth – God Of War (1pt win – )
Distance dropper God Of War could have plenty to offer yet over 6f. His only ever run over this trip came on debut in July 2024. He chased home subsequent Group 1 winner Shadow Of Light in close attendance before racing over 7f-1m. He had successes up in trip, but recent efforts suggest that a revival may well come over this shorter distance. The closest he has come in 2026 has been his nearby fifth at Chester over 7½f where that twisting track played to speedier horses. However, it was his fourth last time out at Sandown that caught the eye for this assignment, as he ran keenly but still challenged within the final furlong before fading. He should race more amenably over 6f, with cheekpieces having a positive effect last time. Tom Clover’s charge can strike off a mark 5lb below his last winning one.
4.15 Yarmouth – Heroics (1pt win – )
Alan King’s Heroics has the hallmarks of a staying handicapper going places. Although winless in his first four starts, he was competitive in decent novice events between 1m-1m3f. The Ulysses gelding was then fourth at York on his handicap bow before winning at Sandown upped to 1m6f. A poor effort followed on the July Course, but he was another horse to bounce back elsewhere. He won a nine-runner race at Wolverhampton last month when well-supported and seeing the trip out strongly. Up just 4lb, he looks well worth backing to go in again.
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Ayr – first race 13:30
- Yarmouth – first race 14:15
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Thursday 17 September, which include selections at Ayr & Yarmouth.
When were Thursday’s Lucky 15 tips for Ayr & Yarmouth published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Thursday 17 September were published at 4.05pm on Wednesday 16 September.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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