Horse Racing Tips: It can be Mum’s day at Cheltenham

Flat and jumps racing is scheduled across the UK and Ireland on Thursday, with five meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

Among my horse racing tips for the day is an improving mare for Henry Daly who has looked good in two chase starts and can take a valuable prize.

14:10 Cheltenham - Minniemum @ 17/2

A cracking mares series final can go the way of Henry Daly’s eight-year-old MINNIEMUM, who has looked an improved performer over fences in just two chase starts to date.

She was a consistent horse over hurdles, managing one win and showing a preference for decent ground, but she has already won and been second in her two starts over fences.

She has also run her two best RPRs by some margin in those two outings, with a bloodless win at Exeter followed by a three-length defeat by the reopposing Lady Jago last time.

That rival has won again to boost the form and means that the selection has a massive 12lb swing with her erstwhile conqueror this time around.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will be paying 4 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 3. T&Cs Apply.

14:45 Cheltenham - Midnight Ginger @ 16/1

Horses who have run well at this meeting before are often worth looking out for and, if Andrew Martin’s mare MIDNIGHT GINGER can run to the level she showed here in 2024, she should go close.

She ran in the novices’ handicap chase last season and, despite some sketchy jumping she was an admirable third, beaten less than five lengths.

Returned to hurdles this year, at which discipline she has made the frame 18 times in 29 starts, she has been running well without winning, with her best run of the season coming last time.

She competes off a mark 6lb lower than for that good effort over fences at this meeting last year and that is lower than for any of her last three wins.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will be paying 5 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 4. T&Cs Apply.

16:15 Ripon - Baryshnikov @ 10/1

An eye-catching return should have set up David and Nicola Barron’s stalwart BARYSHNIKOV for a crack at this prize from what looks to be an attractive mark.

His opening run of the year came in a competitive Class 3 at Doncaster, where, sent off an unconsidered 40/1, he travelled notably well before meeting a bit of traffic and then finishing just behind the principals despite minimal urgings.

He has no great record fresh, so that run and the handy drop of another 1lb to 2lb below his mark when winning a Class 3 last May, makes him of considerable interest returned to a Class 4.

He has won on two of his last three attempts at this level and as a previous course and distance scorer he looks to have plenty in his favour here.

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