Horse Racing Tips: Henderson runner looks Ideal on Thursday

Five meetings are scheduled across the UK and Ireland on Thursday. First off is Newcastle before they go at Fairyhouse, Ludlow, Wincanton and Chelmsford.

Among my horse racing tips for the day is one for master trainer Nicky Henderson who could be thrown in off an opening mark of 118 on his return to action at Wincanton.

12:50 Wincanton - Ideal Des Bordes @ 7/4

IDEAL DES BORDES was purchased for €115,000 in 2021 and went on to be a winner of a Quakerstown point-to-point in 2022 for Donnchadh Doyle. His dam is related to a French Grade 1 winner, so it was no surprise that he fetched a good price.

It has taken the lightly raced seven-year-old some time to find his feet. He contested a decent bumper and maiden hurdles, running well in defeat a few times, before pulling up at Exeter last January when sent off a well-backed favourite.

Wind surgery worked the oracle subsequently, as in May he went on to land a 2m5f maiden hurdle at Kempton in style.

It looks like he prefers a sound surface so the conditions should be in his favour on his return and an opening handicap mark of 118 could underestimate his chances. The fact he's entered in four races in the coming days shows a real willingness to run him too.

15:35 Ludlow - Bardenstown Lad @ 2/1

We are taking a punt in the 3m hunter's chase at Ludlow next as BARDENSTOWN LAD looks to get off the mark at the first time of asking under rules for his new yard, with leading amateur James King taking the ride.

Eva's Oskar is the one to beat here if he's anywhere close to his best, but he has a lengthy absence to overcome, while Dan Skelton's Jet Plane warrants plenty of respect on his debut in this sphere.

However, the selection will be very fit as he had a couple of spins between the flags in December and he won two of his last three starts in Ireland under rules for Gavin Cromwell.

20:30 Chelmsford - Claxton Bay @ 25/1

The closing mile handicap at Chelmsford is a competitive affair, but one horse who could be overpriced is the David Evans-trained CLAXTON BAY, with Jordan Williams claiming 5lb in the plate.

A four-year-old son of Due Diligence, he was last seen finishing tailed off last over this trip at Lingfield, but it must be noted that he was extremely weak in the betting on that occasion.

He won over this trip at Beverley in September and also finished second at Kempton over this trip from a 5lb higher mark last January when with Richard Hannon.

A reproduction of that brings him right into this race.

Click the links to find the latest Horse Racing Odds and Today's Horse Races

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights