Thursday’s is a rare day of racing in which the headline event is saved for the evening in Britain and Ireland. Sandown‘s Brigadier Gerard card is a cracker, with two Group race contests featuring the titular race in which Ombudsman makes his return.
GG tipster Joe Napier has two tips for that meeting as part of our Lucky 15 tips for Thursday. Two best bets from Ripon go alongside them.
Ripon Racing Tips (Thursday 28 May)
Ripon’s Thursday card features a class 3 handicap as its highlight. One of our selections is a former Royal Ascot contender in that contest, with one other tip running in the penultimate race.
3.40 Ripon – Parole d’Oro (1pt win – 15/2)
El Matador is feared up in trip, but Parole d’Oro was competitive in some very strong races of this mark last term. He was value for better when eighth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last season. He was then beaten a short-head on Newmarket’s July Course, again over 1m and off this rating of 92. His form since being upped to 1m2f has not been quite as strong. However, he was second at York to an impressive winner off 1lb higher over this trip in October. It is easy to forgive a lesser run on return and with the handicapper giving him a chance, he may travel too sweetly for his rivals.
4.45 Ripon – Polygram (1pt win – 4/1)
Triston Davidson has enjoyed two winners from his last three runners and Polygram could be another. The four-year-old’s form figures of 7766 since joining Davidson do not appear to make great reading. However, over 7f and 1m, he was rarely able to go the pace in rear of the field. Stepped up to 1m3f at Hamilton earlier in May, he was a fast-finishing sixth, beaten only two-and-a-half lengths. He is effectively 2lb wrong at the weights here. That said, he steps up another furlong in distance in a smaller, less competitive field. With the promise of more to come, he can continue his new yard’s upturn in form.
Sandown Racing Tips (Thursday 28 May)
Sandown hosts one of the premier evening events of the flat racing calendar on Thursday. Across a card including four Pattern races, we have selections in two of those.
5.42 Sandown – Adaay Of Scarlett (1pt win – 10/3)
Napa won an informative Newmarket novice event at the start of May. That form took a hit when the runner-up failed at odds-on at Bath last week though and preference is for the unbeaten Adaay In Scarlett. Hugo Palmer won this five years ago and the son of Mehmas makes sense as a winner of this race. He was a very comfortable winner on debut at Newmarket. The runner-up, beaten four-and-a-quarter lengths, scored next time out, so the form is rock solid. The selection himself only won by a neck at Ascot next time out. He was under a penalty though in a tricky three-runner race in which he beat Brockelsby winner and runner-up A Bear Affair, who reopposes, and Dance A Jig. The latter was receiving 3lb, so Adaay In Scarlett likely did very well to win. He should not need to lead to be at his best and looks professional for his age.
6.12 Sandown – Lazy Griff (1pt win – 4/1)
The 2025 Epsom Derby form can rightly be questioned. However, Lazy Griff got as much out of the race as he could have done, finishing second when ridden close to the pace set by the eventual winner Lambourn. However, he had also chased home Lambourn in the Chester Vase and again stayed on well behind the Ballydoyle horse in the Irish Derby when making the frame in third. He drifted markedly in the betting that day and was initially outpaced. He then stayed on strongly though, which is no surprise on pedigree. Being by former Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist is a very unusual pedigree for a flat horse, let alone a Group 3 winner as a juvenile. Yet, it suggests he has plenty of talent and an abundance of stamina perfect for this step up to 2m. He goes well fresh and could easily be a serious threat in this division.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 28 May
3.40 Ripon – Parole d’Oro (1pt win – 15/2)
4.45 Ripon – Polygram (1pt win – 4/1)
5.42 Sandown – Adaay Of Scarlett (1pt win – 10/3)
6.12 Sandown – Lazy Griff (1pt win – 4/1)
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Thursday 28 May
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Ripon – first race 14:05
- Sandown – first race 17:10
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Wednesday 27 May, which include selections at Ripon & Sandown.
When were Thursday’s Lucky 15 tips for Ripon & Sandown published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Thursday 28 May were published at 3.39pm on Wednesday 27 May.
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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