Best Bets: Thursday 25 April

ESME (Trap 2) in the 14:08 at Sheffield

ESME hasn’t truly had the rub of the green of late, meeting with trouble on each of her last 2 starts in higher grade. Moderate breaking will likely always hold her back but the grader’s mercy this afternoon has been noted. Barrie Draper’s claims lie in holding her position to the corner, which rates a solid possibility and she can put her strong-running style to good use from halfway.

PRIM LADY (Trap 6) in the 15:47 at Sheffield

Remaining at Sheffield it’s another Barrie Draper in-mate who earns the vote to come out on top at 15:47 in the shape of PRIM LADY. Following an off-colour spell, she dropped a big hint that her turn was imminent when a very respectable half-length second from an unpromising position seven days ago. Drawn outside an inconsistent and moderate trapper, she promises to have plenty of racing room from the striped jacket and is fancied to come out on top.

RYECOURT VIXEN (Trap 1) in the 18:44 at Hove

RYECOURT VIXEN impressed when making her final start in Ireland a winning one, an effort firmly backed up by the clock at Clonmel in December. She’s continued the good work following the switch, making his first start in D1 Company a winning one at Central Park 2 weeks ago. Her latest C&D solo trial was another solid effort and with potential for better still, the daughter of Sir Paddy can boss the inside and come home in front.