Thursday Racing Tips: Orne going for Listed Spring Cup glory

There’s plenty of competitive racing in store across Britain on Thursday with four meetings divided equally between Jump and Flat action.

Conditions look set to be testing for both Jump meetings at Wincanton and Carlisle,  but that won’t be the case at the two all-weather venues, namely Lingfield and Newcastle.

The best race of the day takes place at Lingfield, which stages the annual Listed Spring Cup. The 7f 3yo race can throw up a good one, as evidenced by 2022 winner El Caballo - a subsequent Group Two winner who was sent off favourite for the Commonwealth Cup. Looking much further back, the winner in 2011, Dubawi Gold, went on to finish runner up in two 2,000 Guineas. We have three Thursday fancies to follow, including one from the premier event at Lingfield.

14:25 Wincanton - Regal Blue @ 6/1

Conditions look certain to be on the gruelling side at Wincanton so it surely makes sense to side with those that have proven form on heavy ground.

On that score a few can be ruled out for this, but not Jonjo O’Neill’s Regal Blue, who stayed on doggedly last time to win going away at Haydock.

Haydock heavy is some of the toughest turf going so it was pleasing he got the job done in that manner on just his fourth start over fences. The third, beaten by 13 lengths, has already given the form a boost, pouncing at the last to win a decent little race at Doncaster on Sunday.

The handicapper couldn’t have raised the 7YO any less than the 4lb nudge he subsequently received and, with further improvement likely, he still looks reasonably treated despite top-weight.

This is technically a drop in grade and it will take a decent effort to stop him going back-to-back.

14:45 Lingfield - Beauzon @ 3/1

Ian Williams’ Beauzon has been in rip-roaring form since the turn of the year, springing a mild surprise when winning at Wolverhampton in January before landing his next three starts to complete the four-timer.

All those victories came over 6f at Wolverhampton and he was travelling all over his rivals two out when stepped up to 7f at Chelmsford last month. Sadly his bid for the five-timer ground to a halt soon after, as he patently failed to stay the extra furlong and ultimately came home last.

Returning to 6f for his latest outing, he got right back on track at Kempton five days ago, just losing out by a head to one of the joint-favourites.

This track will hold no fears - he’s won over course and distance off higher - and, for one who likes to go forward, he’s ideally berthed in the inside stall. Win number five of 2024 looks on.

15:20 Lingfield - Orne @ 5/2

Some promising sorts line up for the day’s feature but there looks to be a standout in the shape of John and Thady Gosden’s Orne.

The son of Acclamation hit the ground running at two when downing a well-backed favourite in pleasing style on his debut at Kempton in September.

Elevated quickly to pattern company for his next start, he found the combination of soft ground and a mile coming a bit too soon in his development when finishing fourth in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes in October. However, connections kept the faith and he got right back on track on his next and final outing of the year, when making all in the Group 3 Horris Hill at Newmarket the following month.

He’s already had a run this year and it was a good one, finishing second to a useful type in a valuable race at Doha in February.

Having proved he’s trained on and holding the best form, he sets a formidable standard for his opponents to aim at, and an early 2,000 Guineas entry only adds to his profile.

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights