Rhys Williams' Daily Horse Racing Tips: 4 Selections For Thursday
The Panel are delighted to have Rhys Williams as part of our team of racing tipsters.
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.
His profit and loss stands at -3.15 points from 34.5 points staked, with returns of 31.35 points.
Here are Rhys' tips for Thursday, using the most up-to-date odds from the best horse racing betting sites.
12:50 Punchestown: Pookie Holler - 0.5pts Win @ 33/1
Pookie Holler returns from nearly a year off the track in this maiden hurdle and I think he has a better chance of making a successful return to action than the market suggests.
He started his career in the Irish pointing field and made a promising start in finishing third on debut, despite not having things go his way.
Bought after that by David Maxwell, his sole start under rules since was in a Naas maiden hurdle where he still looked clueless but didn’t run too badly considering that behind was some very good opposition, with the first five home all now rated 126 or higher.
I’m hoping that Pookie Holler has matured mentally in the time that he’s had off since then and can put in a more professional performance this afternoon.
There is the unknown over how he will handle ground as testing as this and he is very much a chaser of the future, so this season could be a stepping stone to that.
But, I think he has more ability than his price suggests and any 14/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 1: 12:50 Punchestown - Pookie Holler - 0.5pts Win
14:50 Punchestown: Walking In Mayo - 1pt Each-Way @ 9/1
Walking In Mayo makes her handicap debut in this three-mile contest and I think the increased test of stamina can bring out an improved performance from her.
She won a point on debut that turned into a thorough test of stamina and she finished strongly as her rivals wilted late on, suggesting she was going to want this sort of trip under rules.
Therefore, it’s been no surprise that running mostly over two miles in maiden hurdles hasn’t seen Walking In Mayo at her best.
An opening mark of 85 looks lenient based on the ability she showed in her point win and if she still retains that ability then she looks to have a good chance of gaining a first success under rules, despite the presence of a few potentially dangerous rivals.
Any 6/1 or bigger appeals
Rhys' Selection 2: 14:50 Punchestown - Walking In Mayo - 1pt Each-Way
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15:05 Taunton: Merry Monty - 1pt Win @ 8/1
Merry Monty won with plenty in hand on his only start over course and distance in February 2024 and the return to this track can cause him to bounce back after finishing last at Uttoxeter on his latest start.
He ran surprisingly well at that track on his return to action after 633 days off in late October when leading until being caught on the run-in and finishing third.
He jumped to the right that day, something that he also did last time, and I think the softer ground was against him too.
Despite having been a non-runner due to the ground at Wincanton last month, I think this better ground is what Merry Monty needs and the return to a right-handed track will certainly suit him given his jumping tendencies.
There is a slight concern that he may face some competition for the lead but I don’t think he has to make the running and I think the market is underestimating his chance of making it two from two over this C&D.
Any 6/1 or bigger appeals.
15:35 Taunton: Colonial Empire - 0.5pt Win @ 50/1
Colonial Empire’s mark gradually went on the slide last season after returning from over a year off the track and I think his current price overlooks his potential to bounce back to a better level of form.
He ran well at Huntingdon on his return from the long absence when finishing fifth to Gold For Alec but his form after that was largely disappointing.
However, his latest run at Ffos Las can be excused as he was still travelling well when he made an awful mistake at three out and was pulled up as a result.
He hadn’t jumped too slickly that day, but I think the switch back to a right-handed track may help on that front and he showed last season that he can run well after a break.
The visor being retained is also a positive for his chance and positive tactics could suit in a race where there might not be too much pace early on.
It could be that he’s just on the decline and that will continue, and this could be a fair race for the grade but he looks overpriced given his potential for better and any 20/1 or bigger appeals.
Rhys' Selection 4: 15:35 Taunton - Colonial Empire - 0.5pt Win
Odds correct at time of publish.
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