Thursday 17th July 2025
Thursday’s Best Bets
2.00: Leicester
I kick things off on Thursday with the 2.00 at Leicester, and this is where my best bet of the day will participate, and this is a Class 5 nursery handicap over seven furlongs. Eyes Front should prove tough to beat here for Edward Smyth-Osbourne and Rob Hornby. He was second here on his penultimate start and progressed to finish a head second of ten within a Class 2 event at Hamilton last time out. That’s the best form on offer here, and if he runs to that level again, that could be enough for him to open his account.
EYES FRONT – 13/8 (Win) (NAP)
3.00: Leicester
My second selection of the day also comes from Leicester and within the 3.00, which is a Class 6 handicap that’s ridden over a mile and four furlongs. I like the Henry Candy trained Ricardo Phillips here, who’s the mount of Trevor Whelan. He’s yet to win after nine starts, however, stayed on well here over ten furlongs last time out when finishing fifth and just half of a length behind the winner. The step up back up in trip looks the right move, and he should go well off the same mark.
RICARDO PHILLIPS – 5/1 (Each-Way) (NB)
6.30: Epsom
Selection number three comes from Epsom and within the 6.30, which is a Class 5 handicap that’s contested over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Royal Pleasure here for Karen Jewell, who’s set to be ridden by Richard Kingscote. It’s been a long time since his last success; however, he’s been running well since joining this yard from the Easterby’s, finishing a neck second at Lingfield on his penultimate outing, before staying on last time at Kempton over a mile. This extra half of a furlong looks sure to suit, judging by his latest outing, and he can go well at a decent price off the same mark.
ROYAL PLEASURE – 8/1 (Each-Way)
8.40: Epsom
My fourth and final selection of the afternoon also comes from Epsom, and within the 8.40 which is a Class 6 handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve come down on Play Me here for Jim Boyle and Donagh Murphy, who takes off seven pounds. He’s a nine-race maiden; however, he’s been running well as of late, and was only beaten a length and three-quarters at Brighton earlier this month. He’ll contest this particular affair off the same mark as his Brighton run, and he should have a race at this level in him.
PLAY ME – 5/1 (Each-Way)
