Stratford Tips: Thursday 20 August 2026

Stratford Tips: Thursday 20 August 2026

A midweek card at Stratford on good to firm ground, and while the fields are small across the board, there are genuine angles to exploit. Three races make up the card worth dissecting, and the going suits horses who like it quick underfoot. Gary Hanmer runs a sharp book here (21% strike rate, A/E of 1.40), and Ben Pauling’s 23% at the track is worth noting too. Let’s get into it.

5:35 — Racing TV Club Day Novices’ Hurdle (2m6f)

Two runners, so this is essentially a match bet. Porcupine Bank heads the market at 4/9 with Boyle Sports and Betfred, shortened to 2/5 at LiveScore Bet. Gordon Elliott’s yard has been modest in form recently (4 from 35 over the last 14 days), and this is a tight trip at 2m6f for a four-year-old taking on a mare with a bit more experience over obstacles.

Fine Thing (13/8, all firms) is the selection here. Dan Skelton’s five-year-old finished second on her most recent start and has shown progressive form across her last three outings. Harry Skelton rides, and he knows Stratford as well as anyone, winning 24% of his rides here. Skelton and Skelton is a combination you back when the price is right, and 13/8 against a short-priced favourite from a yard out of form is the right price. Fine Thing has the form to win this, and the going should suit a horse who clearly handles a sound surface. Worthy of a confidence stake at the odds.

6:36 — Brian And Sheila Vaughan Memorial Handicap Chase (2m3½f)

Six runners and the most competitive race on the card. Plenty of angles here, and it is worth spending time on this one.

Bagheera Ginge (9/2, Boyle Sports and Betfred) is the pick. Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies send him here in fine shape, having won three of his last five starts, and he arrives on the back of a victory. He has course-and-distance experience, handles good to firm ground, and at 8 years old is operating at the right stage of his career. Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride, a jockey who has ridden 75 winners at Stratford. The 52-day absence is the one question mark, but horses who win three from five do not forget how to run, and the trainer stats here (18% at the course) support a live chance. At 9/2, this is a fair price given the form.

Captain Cool at 3/1 is the obvious market rival, and Jennie Candlish has been in cracking form over the last two weeks (3 from 8). His recent record is solid, but the shorter price versus Bagheera Ginge makes the Twiston-Davies runner the better betting proposition.

Sir Tivo (5/2 favourite, Boyle Sports) is a winner last time out but ranked fifth of six on form figures and carries 156 lb. Gary Hanmer has had a quiet 14-day spell (0 from 4), which slightly tempers enthusiasm despite his strong course stats.

7:06 — Quinnbet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m6½f)

Three runners. Dunkerque is odds-on across the board (evens best, Boyle Sports and LiveScore Bet) and the record justifies the market position: four wins from his last five starts is a compelling CV. Jennie Candlish’s yard has been in sharp form recently, and Sean Quinlan partners him again. The 164 lb burden is worth watching at 2m6½f on good to firm, but this horse has been there and done it in conditions like these.

The play here is Krak Each-Way at 9/4 (Boyle Sports and Betfred). Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton team up, which at Stratford carries real weight: Harry Skelton has a 24% strike rate at the course, and Krak has shown progressive form in recent starts without quite getting his head in front. Third last time out and second three starts back suggests the penny could drop. He carries 12 lb less than Dunkerque, which counts for plenty at this trip, and 9/4 each-way in a three-runner race still lands a return if Dunkerque beats him. Ben Pauling’s Samuel Spade (2/1) completes the field and is respected, but Krak represents the value angle at the price.

Today’s NAP

Fine Thing — Racing TV Club Day Novices’ Hurdle (5:35, Stratford)
Odds: 13/8 — Boyle Sports (others: 13/8 Betfred, 13/8 LiveScore Bet)

Harry Skelton on a Dan Skelton mare showing progressive form, taking on a favourite from a yard badly out of nick in recent weeks. Fine Thing has placed on three of her last four starts and looks ready to graduate to a win. The 13/8 is generous in what is essentially a two-horse match.