Thursday 4th June 2026
I’ve got a couple of selections from both Wetherby and Hamilton on Thursday, and the first of which comes within the 2.12 at Wetherby, which is a Class 5 novice event over five and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of ZIGGY STARSHINE here for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole, who’s the mount of Jack Doughty. She’s a Starman filly who won well on debut at Bath, landing a gamble in the process, and backed that run up with a solid second-placed effort in a conditions race at Salisbury last month. She sets the standard on that form, and should be tough to beat if she continues to progress, despite having to give weight away. Newcomer Wateera is one to keep an eye on in the betting for the Burke yard, who excel with their two-year-olds, and another to note is Birkacre Brow, who could take a step forward following her fourth-placed effort on debut.
My second selection of the afternoon comes from Hamilton, and in the 2.51, which is a Class 5 handicap over six furlongs. This is a competitive low-grade affair; however, I’ve come down on KELPIE GREY for Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan. He continues to edge down the weights and is now ten pounds below his last winning mark. He ran well for large parts of the contest over seven furlongs at Ayr last time out, before weakening in the closing stages, suggesting that this drop down to six furlongs could be what he’s after. The handicapper has dropped him a further pound for his troubles last time out, and I think that he could go close here. Last time out winner Pickersgill is an obvious danger for Iain Jardine, and Thunderstorm Katie has been knocking on the door lately for Jim Goldie, and is likely to be involved again.
Next up for me will be the 3.12 at Wetherby, which is a Class 4 fillies’ novice event over five and a half furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of REIGNING QUEEN here for the powerhouse combination of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. She has shown a solid level of ability in her short career to date, finishing fourth on debut at Southwell before taking a step forward to finish second at Yarmouth last month, a length and three-quarters behind the eventual winner. She should naturally continue to progress, and that has to make her a serious player on her third start here. Both Black Orchid and Viviana have shown ability in their respective starts to date, and like the selection, they should continue to move forward. I expect them both to be there or thereabouts at the business end of things.
My fourth and final selection comes back at Hamilton, and this comes in the 3.51, which is a decent Class 2 handicap for a midweek affair, contested over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on the Karl Burke-trained BOTANICAL here, who’s the mount of Jack Nicholls, who takes off a very handy five pounds. This six-year-old posted an encouraing effort on his first start for the yard when finishing fourth in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March, and whilst he wasn’t able to follow that up at Newmarket last time out, he possibly didn’t handle the track that day, and these are calmer waters. He’s also won at this track twice before, and I think he represents value here. Eternal Force was highly progressive last term, and will be a warm order at the top of the betting; he’s a clear threat if he takes the likely step forward following his seasonal reappearance.
Thursday Selections
04/06/2026
2.12 Wetherby
ZIGGY STARSHINE – (11/8) (Win) (NAP)
2.51 Hamilton
KELPIE GREY – (5/1) (Each-Way)
3.12 Wetherby
REIGNING QUEEN – (7/4) (Win) (NB)
3.51 Hamilton
BOTANICAL – (5/1) (Each-Way)
