Thursday’s Racing Tips – The Brickey Ranger can beat the odds-on jolly from the front

A further 9mm of rain fell overnight at Wetherby, resulting in standing water in some places of the track, deeming it unraceable.

As a result, the only selection on Wednesday was a non-runner. I'm glad I avoided the other jumps meeting on Wednesday, as a lot of short-priced horses won, and I try to take a lot of them on most of the time.

The Brickey Ranger 14/1 (1pt) – Leicester 1.30

Last month I tipped up Animal in a 3m 2f race at Fontwell, who probably would have won with a better ride. In that same race was The Brickey Ranger, making his chasing debut over rules. He had previously run in a Hunter's Chase, but they don't count.

There was late money for The Brickey Ranger from big odds into 14/1, and the way he was ridden suggested that they fancied their chances. He was ridden aggressively from the front, but didn't stay the trip. He jumped well for the most part, and I am interested in him back over a shorter trip, if ridden the same way.

He is running off a 4lb lower mark than he was last time out, and Benjamin Macey takes off a further 5lbs, which gives him a solid chance. In this race, we have an improving horse at the top of the market, but is carrying a very heavy weight, which is why I am taking him on.

Fortunefavorsdbold 9/4 (1pt) – Leicester 2.40

This race is a very weak race, and it would make the most sense backing Stamina Chope, who is the consistent horse. However, I don't do safe, and I am going against one of my promises of this season, and that's giving a Christian Williams horse a go.

I've been bitten in the backside on a couple of occasions this season when backing horses from this trainer, and plenty of times in recent years. The reason why I think his horse is worth backing, even at 2/1, is the quality of the race and the fact that there was money around for her last time out.

Since moving to Christian Williams from Paul Nolan, her form has been up and down, typical of this stable. She gets on best when running on testing ground, and the revert to hurdles might be what she wants at this stage of her career when confidence is low.

She was a winner over hurdles when in Ireland, so we know she can win races like this. The money was down for her last time out, backing into 2/1 after being beaten 11L and 21L on her previous two starts. I'm sure connections will be itching to get that money back on her today, so expect her to be strong in the market.

Sean Bowen is booked, which is obviously a good jockey booking, but he doesn't have the best of strike rates when riding for Christian. He was on board WillieTheBuilder at the start of the season why I tipped him up. I thought he was riding to instructions that day, and since then, that horse has won a couple of times and is now higher rated.

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