Horse Racing tips: Frank Hickey’s 5 to thrive on Thursday across the cards

Four tracks. Five tips. What's not to love?

Frank Hickey

Warwick 12.40 – Es Perfecto

Es Perfecto was a wide margin winner of a point-to-point on this third start in that sphere and was sold for £170,000 off the back of that win. Third in a bumper at Kempton in February, he wasn’t beaten far and two miles on that track wouldn’t have been ideal for him and the step up to 2m 5f will be right up his street.

Hometown Hero is interesting for Dan Skelton on the back of winning a point-to-point in Ireland and the second winning a maiden hurdle in Ireland also, but Es Perfecto could be quite useful and is a bigger price, so looks the value angle.

Salisbury 13.20 – Free Will

Those with experience don’t set the highest of standards here and while they are likely to improve for the experience, it might be worth taking a chance on newcomer Free Will for Ralph Beckett.

She is a sister to Fintas who is rated in the 80’s and is a half sister to West End Girl who won a Group 3 winner as a juvenile, so she is bred to make a decent juvenile. The dam Free Reign won for this yard and Beckett could hardly have his team in better form, with a 33 per cent strike rate for the past two weeks and a run-to-form percentage of 75 per cent.

She might be up to getting off the mark at the first attempt.

Clonmel 13.30 – Brave Way

Those with form under rules in this maiden hurdle don’t set the bar very high and this looks like a good opportunity for Brave Way to get off the mark at her first attempt under rules.

A point-to-point winner this time last year, the third from that contest won a maiden hurdle at Limerick and Brave Way fetched £160,000 at the Sales at Cheltenham the following month. Not seen since, she makes her debut for Henry De Bromhead whose yard is in great form, with 9 winners in the last two weeks.

Owner Kenneth Alexander has had some lovely mares the last couple of seasons, namely Honeysuckle, Minella Melody, Elfile and Sinoria and perhaps Brave Way might be the next for him.

The runners in the 2m handicap pass the stands Chelmsford 31.8.17 Pic: Edward Whitaker

Chelmsford 16.25 – Jacinth

Jacinth was a £120,000 ‘breeze’ purchase who is a half-sister to some useful performers. She was well fancied on her debut at Newbury but could only finish thirs. The winner Fly Miss Helen was very well regarded by Richard Hannon and the second, Sarsaparilla, has finally managed to get her head in front in a maiden since.

Jacinth went back to Newbury for her second start and again was prominent in the market but could only finish third, beaten two lengths. That form looks very strong now as the Alcohol Free, was second in a Group 3 on her next start and won the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes last weekend.

The runner-up at Newbury was Al Saariyah who won a nursery off a mark of 78 on her next start and the fourth Mishal Star has won twice since. Even the sixth won next time!

The form is rock solid and it will take a big step forward from her opponents to prevent her getting off the mark now.

Chelmsford 17.25 – Symbolic Power

Symbolic Power cost 2.3 million guineas and while he doesn’t look up to justifying that price tag anytime soon, he did show some ability when third on debut at Sandown.

He was slowly away there and ran green but should be more clued in here and provided he improves, he could take a bit of beating here. The form of that Sandown third looks solid, the winner has won a nursery off 85 since, the second Lone Eagle has won twice since, including a nursery off 84.

Connections have applied cheekpieces here and if they help Symbolic Power to apply himself, he might be able to turn over Top Brass, who despite being solid, does look a little one-paced.

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