Thursday Racing Tips: Carpe Diem will be looking to seize the day again at Huntingdon

Jump racing holds sway across the UK and Ireland on Thursday with four meetings taking place throughout the afternoon and into the evening. 

First off is Huntingdon before they go at Sedgefield and Thurles. The evening sees all-weather action from Newcastle. Amongst our Thursday fancies is one for trainer Colin Bowe who will be looking to capitalise on optimal ground conditions.

Horse Racing odds

14:07 Thurles - The Great Nudie @ 2/1

The Great Nudie has been in fairly good form this season with a number of notable runs, including an eye-catching performance at Naas in early January when she ran strongly throughout on her way to a dominant win.

However, for all her good work earlier in the season, she disappointed slightly last time out, as despite once again running prominently early on, she dropped away just before the final fence, suggesting that the step up to three miles was just a touch too far for her

Dropping back to 2m5f for this race seems a logical move and should help bring out the best in her once again.

The Great Nudie is not the biggest of chasers but has shown that she acts well in softer conditions in the past, with all three of her career wins coming in soft or heavy conditions.

14:16 Huntingdon - Carpe Diem @ 6/5

Carpe Diem looks to have turned a corner this season after uninspiring earlier in his career. He barely made the frame last term and the decision was made to send him point-to-pointing over the summer.

That move looks to have paid off as the David Bridgwater-trained eight-year-old won one of his three starts in that realm before being brought back to rules racing in December.

After looking as though he needed a run on his return to that sphere just after Christmas, Carpe Diem was sent for his first chase in a year at Huntingdon earlier this month and, equipped with a visor, he impressed, pulling clear two from home to win with something to spare.

It was an impressive display and he looks open to improve from that performance. And while he has been put up 10lb for that win, the visor has been retained so he should go well again.

16:36 Huntingdon - Dangerous Touch @ 5/2

Yet to win in nine starts, this lightly raced Dangerous Touch has been steadily improving and now looks to be in a good position to finally break his duck after finishing a close second last time out.

In only his third start over fences, he produced what could be considered a career-best performance last time out at Lingfield.

He travelled strongly throughout and led after jumping the last, only to be reeled in by the eventual winner in the closing stages.

That run will stand him in good stead and although he will have to contend with a 4lb rise in the weights for this race, he does not have many miles on the clock, so can still improve and he has a strong chance of going one better.

Horse Racing tips from Betfred Insights.