I Need Just A Gentle Nudge Of A Clue To Solve Nos 15 And 17 In This Wonderful Quiz

[Chainman]

15. Young horse without a race gets eight we're told, at sporty opening 5, 4

17. .... but doctor thrashed the designer 5, 5

[fiction-factory]

Does 17 follow on from clue 16?
Is there a theme please? What are we looking for?

[Fibonacci]

Lots of nudges to look through here
http://www.crosswordsolver.org/forum/614914/rainbow-quiz-london-az/

[Neveracrossword]

I think this will be the Rainbow charity quiz, about London. The closing date is the end of May.

[emeritus]

Places in London

17 Someone said previously
Concentrate on the word Thrashed

[Chainman]

Thank you so much Emeritus. So easy when you see the answer!!!
have you any bright ideas about No 15. "young horse without a race gets eight, we're told, at a sporty opening? 5 and 4

if this is done then we can get on with life!

[Calibax]

Think Cricket.
Child's name for horse and word that sounds like eight

[Georgiesmum]

Young horse is a filly (f)illy + eighth letter of the alphabet=h
answer is hilly gate.

[Baldric]

Good CLUE GM.

[Mamyalynne]

A dreadful clue in truth.

[elliemay1]

hilly gate is not the answer

[Baldric]

I just couldn't believe that someone thought a 'gentle clue' was actually giving an answer, right or wrong.

[Georgiesmum]

Sorry. I tried.
I got so carried away trying to work it out for you that I forgot it was only a clue that you asked for
Sorry. I tried.