Starform expert highlights top racing bets for June 30

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Racing expert Steve Curry identified key contenders for Thursday’s events at Musselburgh and Brighton, including Haayimm, Native Instinct, Sophisticate, and Havana Mojito. These horses are notable for their potential improvements, favorable handicaps, and strong recent performances, making the races attractive for bettors.

Racing expert Steve Curry has highlighted several contenders to watch in Thursday’s horse racing programs at Musselburgh and Brighton.

At Musselburgh, Haayimm is favored to make a successful handicap debut in the 3:00 p.m. Join Racing TV Now Handicap. Trainer Ed Bethell’s three-year-old, ridden by jockey Danny Tudhope, showed marked improvement after his maiden win in April and performed well stepping up in class at Hamilton. Although he narrowly missed catching a promising rival in that novice race, Haayimm is considered to have ample potential for further progress off his current official rating.

Bethell and Tudhope also have confidence in Native Instinct, scheduled to compete in the 4:00 p.m. Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap at Musselburgh. The four-year-old gelding has experienced a decline in form in recent outings but remains well handicapped and was competitive in his seasonal return. Native Instinct’s last two races were affected by positional challenges and possibly fitness, but connections believe he is ready to regain winning form.

In the 4:30 p.m. Catherine & Charlotte Roche Handicap, Sophisticate is another horse with strong prospects at Musselburgh. The mare secured her third course and distance victory there last summer, carrying a significantly higher weight. Although she has not won this year, she delivered her best recent effort when narrowly beaten by Gemini Man, who will meet her again carrying four pounds more. Sophisticate appears well placed to capitalize on her favorable mark.

At Brighton, Havana Mojito has drawn attention for the 4:43 p.m. Fairplaybet.co.uk Free Bets Handicap following two close finishes at the course. The gelding was narrowly defeated last time out by stablemate Dion Barker, a horse on a hot streak who will carry a four-pound penalty in Thursday’s rematch. Trainer John Gallagher has enlisted jockey Jack Callan, who holds a useful three-pound apprentice claim, in hopes of tipping Havana Mojito to his first win at Brighton this season.

These selections reflect a mix of young horses stepping up, runners seeking to recapture past form, and those well suited by their handicaps and track conditions. Thursday’s races offer several opportunities for bettors to follow promising contenders at two UK venues.

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