Rhys Williams' Racing Tips: 5 Selections For Thursday
Horse racing expert Rhys Williams is sharing his best selections for Thursday's action.
Rhys has been a racing analyst for over 10 years, working for At The Races and, most recently, as a tipster for Betfair, where his tipping column achieved a 31% ROI over 4.5 years.
He often focuses on the back end of the market, finding angles that aren't evident to most.
Rhys' tips have returned 404.24 points from 279.0 points staked, meaning his profit and loss record stands at a whopping +125.24pts overall - thanks to a recent 66/1 winner (Unquite Dreams).
Here are Rhys' tips for today, using the most up-to-date odds from the best horse racing betting sites.
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17:58 Lingfield: Zonneveld - 0.5pts Each-Way @ 25/1
This looks a weak maiden and I think Zonneveld is being underestimated by the market on the step up to a more suitable trip.
He was very green on debut over six furlongs at Chepstow, where he was detached from the field at an early stage before making some late headway to beat two rivals.
Considering the manner of that performance, it was a surprise that they dropped him back half a furlong on quick ground at Bath last time and he was unsurprisingly outpaced.
He also looked uncomfortable on the firm ground so did well in the circumstances to run as well as he did.
Zonneveld needs to step up on those two efforts to win this, but I think the seven-furlong trip is far more suitable and the switch to an artificial surface may suit him better than the firm ground last time.
He still looked quite green at Bath so there may be improvement to come from a mental maturity aspect too.
Any 12/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 1: 17:58 Lingfield: Zonneveld - 0.5pts Each-Way
18:41 Windsor: Clouds Hill - 0.5pt Win @ 14/1
Clouds Hill’s form has fallen off a cliff on his last few starts, but I’m happy to take a chance on him at the current price in a race where he may get an easy time in front and returning to racing around a bend.
The pace was strong at Redcar and Newcastle when finishing well beaten so there are reasons for those poor runs.
It was concerning just how quick he stopped last time considering the steady early pace.
However, I think the return to racing around a bend in a race where there’s no obvious candidate to take him on for the lead could bring a return to a better level from Clouds Hill.
There is the worry that he might have an issue that will cause another poor run but I think he’s a little overpriced given the likely pace scenario and any 12/1 or bigger appeals.
19:04 Salisbury: Orchard Hatches - 0.5pts Each-Way @ 22/1
Orchard Hatches finished behind Clarity and Siena Storm on debut at Goodwood, but I think the market is overlooking her potential to take a fair step forward from that and reverse the form.
She was hampered coming out of the stalls and held up at the back of the field from her wide draw. She then got tightened up a little around the bend and raced awkwardly to leave her in last place turning into the home straight.
She didn’t look at home on the camber and was hampered by Iconic Dream drifting across her before Orchard Hatches ran on to finish eighth.
Considering the inexperience that she showed that day, I think improvement can be expected from her today particularly with the step up to a mile likely to suit too.
It might be that she will need more time and will only show her true ability next season but I think there’s too much between Orchard Hatches and the two rivals who also contested the Goodwood race considering their performances.
Any 14/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 3: 19:04 Salisbury: Orchard Hatches - 0.5pts Each-Way
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19:41 Windsor: Box To Box - 0.5pt Win @ 16/1
Box To Box is returning from a long absence and it could be that he will need the run but I think he has a better chance of making all than the market suggests.
He was left alone in front at Haydock when making all and beating Bamburgh with something in hand with a gap back to the rest. I think the trip was the reason for his poor run next time and he bounced back with two fine efforts in defeat after.
This is the longest break that he’s had in his career but he’s managed to win off a break in the past and there’s the potential for a repeat of Haydock in a race where there doesn’t look to be much other early pace.
Any double-figure prices appeal.
Rhys' Selection 4: 19:41 Windsor: Box To Box - 0.5pt Win
19:58 Lingfield: From Me To You - 0.5pt Win @ 10/1
From Me To You is making his nursery debut and I think he has the potential to step up on what he’s shown so far.
He was extremely green and ‘showing off’ pre-race on debut at Newbury so it was no surprise that he finished well beaten.
He built on that next time at Leicester when looking more professional before looking unsuited by the right-handed track at Kempton when hanging left around the bend and in the home straight.
Given his pre-race antics on debut, it was no surprise to see him gelded after Kempton and they chucked him into a strong race in the Super Sprint where he was outclassed.
This level is more suitable for him and while I’m not sure this track is ideal for him given his stature, he physically looked the type who would improve with time so From Me To You could have more to offer particularly with the blinkers going on to focus his mind.
Any 8/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 5: 19:58 Lingfield: From Me To You - 0.5pt Win
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