Rhys Williams' Racing Tips: 2 Selections For Thursday
Horse racing expert Rhys Williams is sharing his best selections for today's racing.
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 had a 31% ROI over four and a half years.
He often focuses away from the front end of the market, finding angles that aren't evident to most.
Rhys' tips have returned 188.13 points from 143 points staked, meaning his profit and loss record stands at +45.13pts overall.
Here are Rhys' tips for today, using the most up-to-date odds from the best horse racing betting sites.
Build your daily yard of horses in our new 'Stables Stars' fantasy game below to be in with a chance of winning £100, £50 or £25.
Play Stable Stars Here
17:02 Wexford: Wild Bill Hickok - 0.5pts Each-Way @ 28/1
Wild Bill Hickok makes his chasing debut in the opening beginners chase at Wexford and I think the market is overlooking his chance given the ability he’s shown over hurdles.
While his form did end up taking a big dive during the autumn campaign in France, he had shown plenty of ability during the spring - winning two of his first three starts and he was part of a plan for Coolmore to create their own jumps stallion, who was a son of Walk In The Park.
After Wild Bill Hickok disappointed in the autumn, that plan was clearly shelved as he was sold and joined Ciaran Murphy who gelded him.
Murphy gave him time to settle in before entering him in the conditionals and amateurs hurdle at Aintree and he ran respectably off a mark of 135.
The hood that he had worn early on in France was back on that day, and it seemed to have the desired effect in the race.
He ran as though the race was needed a little, fading on the run-in to be beaten just over 10 lengths.
While Wild Bill Hickok settled well enough in the race, he was reported as being on edge a little in the preliminaries - so the calmer atmosphere of Wexford could help him on that front and he may take a step forward from that run.
There is the unknown over how he will take to chasing, but gaining his early education in France will likely help on that front, and that can also make the four-year-old allowance a generous one.
Given his hurdles rating, there’s far less concern over giving him an educational run with protecting a chase mark in mind and he looks overpriced, with any 14/1 or bigger appealing.
Rhys' Selection 1: 17:02 Wexford: Wild Bill Hickok - 0.5pts Each-Way
17:02 Wexford: Mercury Mission - 0.5pts Each-Way @ 33/1
In the same race, Mercury Mission is also of interest at a big price after running a fine race in defeat at Clonmel last time.
He was a fair hurdler, but I thought he stepped up on that, when beaten just over a length on his second start over fences at Clonmel.
He was allowed to stride on in front from the off, and went clear of his rivals despite often jumping a little out to the left.
The chasing pack closed on him halfway down the back straight, but he went on again after jumping three out and looked like he might have them in trouble on the extremely long run to two out.
However, he started to tire a little and wasn’t fluent while out to his left at the last two fences and was caught on the run-in by Royal Hollow.
I thought that was a very good effort in defeat and a repeat of such tactics would be a positive for his chance around here, with the switch to a left-handed track also helping his cause considering how he jumped last time.
The quicker ground shouldn’t be an issue for him either, and while he does have to show he can repeat an effort of that level, his chance looks to be underestimated by the market.
Any 14/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 2: 17:02 Wexford: Mercury Mission - 0.5pts Each-Way
Read Up On The Latest Horse Racing Betting Sites
Why Not Check Out Our Dedicated Fast Racing Results Page
If you are following the latest horse racing tips, sign up at one of the best betting sites where you'll find exclusive offers.
You’ll find plenty of betting markets on horse racing today, along with a wide variety of other sports, at these trusted online betting sites, while you might even grab some free bets.
Also, follow our resident tipster James Boyle for his very latest tips and expert analysis ahead of the day's meetings in the UK, Ireland and around the world.
