Thursday's Best Bets: A great day for Glen

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Tippin’ Jimmy has five selections across Thursday’s racecard.

1:55 Ludlow – Sgroppino (10/3)

Richard Johnson goes to Ludlow this afternoon, and I imagine this horse could be one of the ones he is looking forward to riding. The five-year-old makes his novice hurdling debut this afternoon, following two runs in bumpers. He finished a strong second on debut, splitting two very good horses, before things going against him at Newbury last time. Today he can make amends.

2:15 Carlisle – Manitowoc County (9/2)

Brian Ellison’s five-year-old looks to be the type to improve now tested over hurdles. He won a good point-to-point contest, before finishing fourth in a bumper at Sedgefield last month. He hasn’t experienced ground like this before, which is a concern, but the step up in trip and change to hurdling is a big positive and he could be up to winning here.

3:00 Ludlow – Valhalla (5/2)

Valhalla is a horse I think is a great little handicapper, who always goes and wins one every now and then for Colin Tizzard. He loves tracks like Ludlow, and I think he can find a bit of improvement following his Stratford third earlier this month. He should’ve won that day but his jumping let him down, and he may have got a little tired. He has been dropped by the handicapper, he should be up to returning to winning ways today.

3:25 Thurles – Glens Harmony (8/13)

Willie Mullins’ Glens Harmony made an excellent racecourse return last month when second in a listed contest, and she ought to go one better now dropped in grade. She goes hurdling now, and goes off against her own sex. Better ground would suit her, and she is like many horses on show today that may improve to switching over obstacles.

4:45 Southwell – Hidden Glen (6/4)

Ben Pauling’s four-year-old makes his debut in Southwell’s final race this afternoon, and expectations are high that he can make a winning start today. He is a quick horse and has apparently been showing all the right signs at home. He should run well.

7:15 Chelmsford – Diagnostic (Evs)

Ryan Moore returns in the saddle of Diagnostic for William Haggas. This progressing three-year-old has looked pretty smart in two runs this season, stepping up from a debut second to win impressively at this venue a fortnight ago. She looked a very good horse in the making that day, and can well strike again in this handicap contest.