Stu higher consider who will win at Newmarket – Jason Heavey’s Thursday horse racing ideas

The Daily Star’s Chief Tipster Jason Heavey reckons Stuart Williams’ sprinter is the one to back in front of the ITV4 cameras at Newmarket on Thursday

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THE popular QUINAULT (3.00, nb) can build on a successful winter by landing the ZYN Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in front of the ITV4 cameras on Thursday.

The pride and joy of trainer Stuart Williams has always shown bags of ability.

As a five-year-old last season, he made all in the Criterion at York and was then a close-up third in Champions Sprint at Ascot to end his campaign.

He kicked off 2026 with a pipe-opener on the all-weather at Newcastle before snaring a Group Three at Doha in February.

Racing at the same level and distance today – his preferred six furlongs – he should be in perfect shape to take the £54,000 winners’ cash.

In the following race, also on ITV4, HIDDEN FORCE (3.35, trb) can underline he is a smart prospect by taking the Group Three Betway Craven Stakes.

Godolphin’s Frankel colt is 2-2 on the all-weather at Kempton, latterly just pushed out to see off Venetian Prince by one-and-a-half lengths in a one-mile conditions event.

That race was also won by the yard’s 2024 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech and Charlie Appleby will hope Hidden Force has similar talent.

Away from HQ, EMPRESS OLIVIA (3.10, nap) could be the one to beat in a competitive Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap.

The three-year-old filly, trained by Mark Walford, was a C&D maiden winner last year and showed improved form when narrowly denied in a five-furlong Catterick handicap on her reappearance last Wednesday.

She has the same mark today – before a 2lb rise for that narrow miss – and this prominent racer looks to have plenty going for her from the rail draw.

The best bet over the jumps at Hereford could be PHOENIX RISEN (7.00) in the Burcombe Construction Ltd Handicap Hurdle.

Jeremy Scott’s veteran was undone by a rise in the weights when bidding to follow up his Taunton success at Exeter last time, finishing fifth of 10.

But with highly rated claimer Chad Bament taking 7lb off his back here, he looks a solid proposition.

Thursday tips

NEWMARKET

1.50 Albaydaa

2.25 Crown Knott

3.00 Quinault (nb)

3.35 Hidden Force (trb)

4.10 Pointe Bleu

4.45 Guildmaster

5.20 Dragon Leader

RIPON

2.00 The Untamed

2.35 Urchin

3.10 Empress Olivia (nap)

3.45 Wild Clary

4.16 Spoken Truth

4.52 Domination

5.25 On The River

HEREFORD

4.22 Moonlit Potter

4.57 Brave Move

5.30 Latin

6.00 Coastguard Station

6.30 Gold For Alec

7.00 Phoenix Risen

7.30 Hercules Honour

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