Thursday Racing Tips: Further should have the measure of Chelmsford rivals

A healthy mix of Flat and jumps racing takes place across the UK and Ireland on Thursday with five meetings in the afternoon and into the evening.

First off is Haydock before they go at Uttoxeter, Hamilton, Leopardstown and Chelmsford. Among our fancies is one for up-and-coming jockey Billy Loughnane, who is fancied to register another winner on the all-weather at Chelmsford.

Horse Racing Odds

14.05 Haydock - Animato @ 5/2

The ground looks likely to be no worse than good at Haydock and that will suit ANIMATO, who has recaptured his form in some style recently and is fancied to complete a hat-trick.

He keeps a bit back for himself and his two wins have come by only narrow margins. However, the upside is he has gone up only 4lb in the weights for both victories and still looks well treated.

When you include his new rider Jack Enright's 5lb claim, Animato will be able to run off a mark 1lb lower than when recording the first of his two wins and that is evidently a positive.

This isn't a strong race for the grade and, with trainer David O'Meara's string in fantastic form, it will be a surprise if Animato can't make short work of this opposition.

16.50 Uttoxeter - Phil De Pail @ 15/8

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero are among the top training outfits in Britain right now and they appear to have sound claims with PHIL DE PAIL, who might hold a class edge here.

He was rated a peak 112 over hurdles, but has now dropped to a mark of just 100 on his chasing debut and is dangerously well treated if he can put it all together.

That is a big question mark because he hasn't shown his best form since returning from a long absence in February, but there were signs he could soon bounce back last time.

That came on his chasing debut at Warwick in a first-time combination of cheekpieces and tongue strap, which is retained here and he was in front, travelling strongly when unseating rider Toby Wynne at the 13th.

That first experience of chasing is unlikely to be lost on Phil De Pail and he has a huge chance this time, provided he can avoid any mishaps at the fences under Henry Brooke.

18.15 Chelmsford - Further Measure @ 6/1

There isn't a horse running at Chelmsford who deserves a win more than FURTHER MEASURE and the seven-year-old is fancied to gain reward for his consistency.

Further Measure has finished second on three of his last four starts and that includes twice at this track on his last two outings, going down only narrowly on both occasions.

He was beaten only a neck by Taxiing, and finished ahead of the re-opposing Grand Duchess Olga, when second over 2m last month and then ran into subsequent winner Wannabe Brave when runner-up at the same trip two weeks ago. The front two pulled clear of the third.

A 1lb rise in the weights is unlikely to be a problem for Further Measure and this course winner has an outstanding chance now that he is reunited with top pilot Billy Loughnane and dropped back to 1m6f.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.