Horse Racing Tips: Scandinavia to set sail at Newmarket

Flat racing dominates across the UK and Ireland on Thursday, with six meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

My horse racing tips for the day includes a smart prospect for trainer Aidan O’Brien who will bid to reverse a strong piece of form from Royal Ascot.

13:30 Doncaster - Liberated Lad @ 11/1

The first race at Doncaster this afternoon is one for the stayers and the Ben Brookhouse-trained LIBERATED LAD looks poised to strike following a promising third at Newbury last time out.

The seven-year-old is a multiple winner and is versatile when it comes to ground and distance as his winning performances range from 1m2f to 2m. His most recent outing at Newbury was over 1m2f and helped for much of the journey, while the form has received several boosts with four of the ten runners he faced going on to win next time out.

The gelding will appreciate the step up in trip and remains on his last winning mark, while Bradley Furniss renews the Newbury partnership and claims 5lb.

13:50 Newmarket - Scandinavia @ 5/4

This year’s July festival kicks off with one for the three-year-old stayers in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes. The field may be small but it is a competitive race.

While all have their merits, this could turn into a shootout between Andrew Balding and Aidan O’Brien as Furthur and SCANDINAVIA set out for a rematch from the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last month. Balding’s charge may have finished in front of the Ballydoyle colt that day, but there is every chance Scandinavia can reverse that form.

Balding’s colt had the far easier run against the rail throughout while Scandinavia raced wide and was outpaced for much of the race, but caught the eye finishing strongly.

With a much smaller field and Ryan Moore booked to replace Wayne Lordan, there is every chance that the son of Justify can make a strong impact.

15:35 Newmarket - Wimbledon Hawkeye @ 4/1

Last year’s Royal Lodge winner WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE has shown signs of potential this campaign as he has managed to place in some decent races. He usually does his best work late on, which suggests a strong showing may be on the horizon.

In his last outing, he was keen throughout the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, ultimately finishing fourth. However, he once again finished strongly in the final furlong. He receives 12lb from his rivals and, and if he learns to settle, can pose a significant threat to his older rivals.

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