Thursday Racing Tips: Pink Legend to show true colours at Huntingdon

Jumps racing holds sway across Britain and Ireland on Thursday, with five meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

First off is Southwell, before they go at Huntingdon, Gowran Park, Wetherby and Newcastle.

Amongst our Thursday fancies is one for trainer Venetia Williams who looks likely to show up well at Huntingdon.

14.00 Huntingdon - Barrakhov @ 9/1

We are going to focus on a cracking card at Huntington and, at decent odds, BARRAKHOV can put his best foot forward to land the 2m7½f handicap chase for joint-trainers David Killahena & Graeme McPherson.

The eight-year-old's sole success came at Southwell over hurdles in January 2021, but he is lightly raced since having seen the track only six times subsequently.

With just the three starts over fences to his name, Barrakhov produced his best effort yet when fourth over 2m5f at Hereford three weeks ago, seemingly going well four from home but to fold in the closing stages.

Now dropping a further 2lb to a career-low mark of 86 - combined with Nick Slatter taking a further 5lb off in the saddle - Barrakhov won't find a better opportunity to get his head back in front stepping up in trip.

14.35 Huntingdon - Jack Sprat @ 5/1

Moving on to the 2m4½f handicap hurdle, it has to be hugely interesting that Nico de Boinville will take the ride on the Jamie Snowden-trained JACK SPRAT.

De Boinville has ridden for another trainer bar Nicky Henderson only once since the 18th of November, so it's not a regular occurrence and it could be a significant booking.

Jack Sprat forged clear to win over course and distance off a mark of 95 in November, and although 7lb higher in the weights now, he only found one too good at Uttoxeter when last seen, making a couple of costly jumping errors in the process.

He's well worth his place at the head of the market.

15.10 Huntingdon - Pink Legend @ 9/2

Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell won the Listed 2m4f Lady Protectress Mares' Chase with Jeremys Flame last year, and the handler crosses the Irish Sea with warm favourite Brides Hill this year.

She is entitled to plenty of respect off the back of her gutsy handicap win on Hatton's Grace Day at Fairyhouse, but she may face a stern challenge from six rivals, most notably PINK LEGEND.

Venetia Williams' experienced runner may be giving 2lb to the favourite, but she has landed a Listed race already this season, triumphing in a Mares' Chase at Newbury before Christmas, seeing off favourite Galia Des Liteaux that day.

Respectable showings at Aintree and Doncaster either side of that victory further underlined that the 10-year-old has lost none of her class and she could cause a minor surprise here.

Check out the rest of our Horse Racing Tips here.