Best bets for the horse racing from Longchamp, Haydock Park, Leicester and Bath Thursday 25th June

It's been a quiet start to the week for me; Ajax Tavern one of my Dirty Dozen was due to run earlier this week but didn’t. So, I have simply just been sitting and waiting, and finally, like buses, a whole load of bets come along at once. Hopefully worth the wait.  

Across the Channel D'bai and Space Blues are due to run over in France at Longchamp in the 7f  Group Three Prix De La Porte Maillot Stakes due off at 10.10 this morning. I am a fan of both but Space Blues is of course a member of the Dirty Dozen again this year for me and looks the bet here though the chestnut colt is no price at 4-5. 

Here in the UK Charlie Appleby had three entered for the Listed 7f EBF Eternal Fillies' Stakes at Haydock due off at 3.15 and the two that run are Althiqa and Spring Of Love. Spring Of Love overcame greenness to win on debut over 7f on good to soft ground at Newmarket in October 2019 but none of those she beat have exactly gone on to frank the form. Three have won once since but nothing special. Slight preference therefore has to be for Althiqa. She won well over 5f on good at Thirsk on debut in May 2019 and returned to the track earlier this month following a wind op to win a 7f novice stakes at Newmarket by 7½ lengths easing down from the well fancied Cressida. This grey filly could prove near if not top-class this year and is expected to improve passed the likes of Guineas also rans Under The Stars and Boomer. I have the 5-1.   

Another Dirty Dozen member Youthful goes in the 7f Bodie Hodges Foundation Handicap over at Leicester due off at 6.25. 12-1 is around early the gelding having looked short of stamina over the mile at York recently. I am hopeful there is a win or two in him this year, all being well starting today. 

The third member of the Dirty Dozen out today, Ajax Tavern, does run this time in the  Follow At The Races On Twitter Novice Stakes at Bath due off at 6.40. The way he won at Lingfield last year still gives me hope there is a race or two to be won with him as well. Run at Haydock earlier this month will have blown away the cobwebs and though he has it to do here against the jolly he is worth a nibble at the 10-1 that is available. 

Be lucky