Six meetings take place across Great Britain and Ireland on Thursday and GG tipster Joe Napier picks out his Lucky 15 selections across the day from Lingfield, Thurles and Warwick.
11.45 Thurles – KURASSO BLUE (1pt win – 9/2 Paddy Power)
While none of the runners in Thurles’ opening beginners’ chase looks a potential superstar, there should be plenty of runners who reach a fairly high standard with KURASSO BLUE the standout for Gordon Elliott. The four-year-old gets a 9lb weight-for-age allowance here, but the son of former St Leger winner Masked Marvel looks likely to possess the stamina to cope with an immediate step up to 2m6f here. He was able to grind out a victory over 2m as a juvenile hurdler last season, having been pitched into a highly competitive four-year-old event at Naas on debut where he finished fifth, but he won an event in France over 2m2f when still just a three-year-old before joining Elliott last season. He looks a rangy, galloping type who should be better suited by chasing and he may already possess the physical attributes that make his 9lb age allowance look generous here.
1.10 Warwick – CRAZIERTHANDAISY (1pt win – 5/1 bet365)
Coming off the shortest break of those making their seasonal reappearances, CRAZIERTHANDAISY should still have mileage in her mark for Nicky Henderson. The six-year-old’s only career success over obstacles came over course and distance in December last year on the same soft ground she is likely to receive on Thursday, though she had run well enough in two starts prior to that and had won a bumper after an 80-day break. She would have finished much closer on her handicap bow at Wetherby in March but for a bad late mistake dropped her to third, while she subsequently shaped much better than the bare result when tenth at the Punchestown Festival over 2m3½f. The return back up to 2m5f should suit, the going is not a worry, and further improvement is likely, with her being one of only two rides for Nico De Boinville on the card.
2.20 Warwick – DREAM SHADOW (1pt win – 7/2 bet365)
Having been competitive throughout her season in bumpers last term, and been second on her hurdles bow on Halloween, DREAM SHADOW looks well placed to get off the mark over timber for Fergal O’Brien here. She won a bumper at Uttoxeter last season before twice being placed in Listed bumpers at Market Rasen and Sandown, the latter of which saw her staying on strongly behind the winner. She was beaten under a length on her return by a speedier type over 2m on good ground, but a slight step up in trip to 2m3f on a slower surface should bring out more from her and she is a novice or maiden winner in waiting.
2.30 Lingfield – SKY SAFARI (1pt win – 5/4 generally)
The four-year-old SKY SAFARI comes up against a class horse in Shuwari here, but James Fanshawe’s charge is in receipt of 3lb from that rival, which might make all the difference in favour of the progressive selection. The daughter of Zoustar is unbeaten on all-weather surfaces, winning three times at Kempton since the start of the year and going up 21lb in the handicap. She was able to concede 3lb to course specialist Local Hero last time out, with that rival having won off a 4lb higher mark since and Sky Safari was much less convenienced by the draw and track position that day. She is ready for Listed level, and perhaps beyond, on an artificial track and can continue her excellent progress this year.
GG Racing Lucky 15 Tips For Thursday 20th November
11.45 Thurles – KURASSO BLUE (1pt win – 9/2 Paddy Power)