As the World Cup rumbles on, so does racing in the UK and Ireland. There are seven meetings in total to enjoy on Thursday, with a packed schedule including flat, jumps and all-weather racing.
GG tipster Joe Napier is on hand with our Thursday lucky 15 tips. His selections race at Nottingham and Newbury.
Nottingham Racing Tips (Thursday 2 July)
Seven races take place at Nottingham on Thursday, starting at 2pm on the dot. We have two tips to follow at the track.
3.00 Nottingham – Havana Gift (1pt win – 7/1)
If there is one who could be considerably ahead of their mark here, it is Havana Gift. All seven juveniles have potential to kick on, but the rating of 68 the selection races off looks light. John & Sean Quinn’s charge was uncompetitive in her first two starts. However, she looked to have learned plenty when settled in rear at Musselburgh last time. She finished with a flourish, beaten only by a much more experienced two-year-old in Furturra. That horse is now rated 82 and Havana Gift was less than a length behind. The improvement between her second and third starts is taking and suggests she is one to have on side for this handicap bow.
4.05 Nottingham – Empirical (1pt win – 2/1)
A promising handicap debut should be a platform for Empirical to leap to higher levels. The son of Kingman offered little at two, his best a distant third place at Wolverhampton in December. However, after a gelding operation in February, Ed Walker sent him into handicaps, starting over course and distance in May. He was slowly away in first-time cheekpieces, but finished his race well. He was beaten only a length-and-a-half in third, and the runner-up has won since. If he gets a better start, and with a run now under his belt, there could easily be more to come from this E260,000 purchase off a mark of just 66.
Newbury Racing Tips (Thursday 2 July)
Newbury hosts evening racing on Thursday, as we have two more lucky 15 tips across the six-race card.
6.15 Newbury – Fanciulla Del West (1pt win – 3/1)
Another interesting Ed Walker runner on Thursday is Fanciulla Del West. Her dam has proven prolific, with the selection her 17th foal to go racing. 12 of her half-siblings have won races, with another maiden placed in Listed company. It is a solid family to hail from and Fanciulla Del West has been improving since her first run. This term, she has been second twice since introduced to turf. She had little chance against a Group race filly at Yarmouth, but was beaten only a length on her first handicap run at Redcar in May. She was slow away and raced keenly, but still pulled nicely clear of the third. A 3lb rise for that effort is not harsh and she can now go one better.
8.00 Newbury – Slipper Time (1pt win – 25/1)
The gelding Slipper Time looked destined for weekend assignments with good efforts at Salisbury and Newbury last term. He won the first of those in novice company before a third on handicap debut off a mark of 76. That was over track and trip, but he has been less competitive since in three runs. In each of those trio, though, there have been excuses. The all-weather may not have suited at Kempton, he was making his return when down the field on the Rowley Mile, and soft ground at Chepstow may have hindered him when fifth of ten last month. That was a better effort than his previous two, hinting a revival may come when conditions suit. They should do much better in this contest, over a course and distance he has performed well at. He is now 1lb better than for his third here in a better race last term.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 2 July
3.00 Nottingham – Havana Gift (1pt win – 7/1)
4.05 Nottingham – Empirical (1pt win – 2/1)
6.15 Newbury – Fanciulla Del West (1pt win – 3/1)
8.00 Newbury – Slipper Time (1pt win – 25/1)
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 2 July
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Nottingham – first race 14:00
- Newbury – first race 18:15
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Thursday 2 July, which include selections at Nottingham & Newbury.
When were Thursday’s Lucky 15 tips for Nottingham & Newbury published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Thursday 2 July were published at 3.07pm on Wednesday 1 July.
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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