Chris's Thursday Tips - 15 May 2025

Chris's Thursday Tips

***7.44 Newcastle - Witton Gucci  (2pts)

**8.24 Hove – Bluejig Baron (2pts)

*8.01 Newcastle – Sirdar (1pt)

There are eight opens on the menu this evening at Newcastle, where two semi-finals of the BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby take centre stage.

All four heat winners go in the first instalment at 7.44 and it is Witton Gucci who impressed the most a week ago.

Jill Sutherst’s bitch set the standard with her 28.47 (+10) success, but she wants marking up for that performance as she took a hefty bump out of the boxes. 

She still had the early speed to turn prominently before stretching clear in fine style, and she can also improve for that first start since March. Everything points towards another big run.

Sirdar chased Witton Gucci home last Thursday and he is fancied to go one better in the second semi-final (8.01).

The John Flaherty-trained dog served it up to the winner down the far side but was out-stayed on the run-in and was beaten two and three-quarter lengths at the line.

However, that form reads very well in the context of this weaker of the two semis and, with a better start in his locker, this A1-winning local runner looks the one to beat.

There are also nine opens at Hove tonight and Bluejig Baron is hard to oppose in the Coral 515 Trophy final at 8.24.

After a moderate start, Dave Lee’s inmate made full use of the long run to the bend to turn in front a week ago and romped home by nearly nine lengths in a standard-setting 30.01.

With that course refresher under his belt, he should take some beating to the corner here and would be very hard to reel in if getting first run.