Free horse racing tips for Thursday, April 17 at Cheltenham, Newmarket and Ripon

Handicappers' nap

Sainte Lucie (1.35 Cheltenham)

Impressed when making a winning debut for Willie Mullins at Punchestown in December and ran well enough in the Triumph Hurdle last time to suggest she should take all the beating on her handicap debut.
Steve Mason

Sainte Lucie13:35 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Danny Mullins Tnr: W P Mullins

Want to get more from your horse racing bets today? Sign up with Paddy Power and get £30 in free bets if you bet £5.

Eyecatcher

Epicurian Lad (4.50 Ripon)

Richard Fahey's charge came from an impossible position to finish fourth of 11 after a poor start at Wolverhampton last month. He'll strip fitter for that and is 1lb lower.
Marcus Buckland

Epicurian Lad16:50 Ripon

View Racecard

Jky: Billy Garritty Tnr: Richard Fahey

The Punt nap

Rosario (4.10 Newmarket)

Shaped as if he would be suited by a return to 5f, over which he was placed in the Flying Childers and Cornwallis Stakes as a juvenile, in recent all-weather runs and can capitalise on an attractive-looking mark on this drop in class for Roger Teal.
Harry Wilson 

Rosario16:10 Newmarket

View Racecard

Jky: David Probert Tnr: Roger Teal

Enjoying today’s free racing tips? Explore even more expert horse racing tips and in-depth analysis to help you back a winner.

Speed figures

Yabher (2.25 Newmarket)

Clocked a decent speed figure when winning on debut at Doncaster but couldn't handle heavy ground on his next start. Can take this off a potential lenient official rating of 82.
Craig Thake

Yabher14:25 Newmarket

View Racecard

Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: William Haggas

West Country

Springs A Girl (2.45 Cheltenham)

Has some solid form, including on similar ground. Caused an 80-1 shock earlier and can have another upset.
James Stevens

Springs A Girl14:45 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Daire McConville (7lb)Tnr: Martin Keighley

Dark horse

Pretending (2.45 Cheltenham)

She won this race last year and can go well again off a favourable mark, despite being out of sorts this season.
George Bonds

Pretending14:45 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Tom Cannon Tnr: Lucy Wadham

Signposts: punting pointers for Thursday's racing 

Read these next:

The Punt Acca: Harry Wilson with tips from Newmarket, Cheltenham and Ffos Las on Thursday 

Paul Kealy's play of the day at Cheltenham 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.

Looking for the best betting offers? Find this week’s top picks across racing, football, golf, and more.

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.