Horse Racing Tips: Pauling inmate a Lock

Jump racing holds sway across the UK and Ireland on Thursday with three meetings taking place across the afternoon. First off is Punchestown before they go at Market Rasen and Sedgefield.

Among our Thursday fancies is one for in-form trainer Ben Pauling, who shaped well on his seasonal return.

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Fast Racing Results

11:55 Punchestown - James The Brave @ 7/1

The opening contest on Thursday is a highly competitive handicap chase over three miles, with several in-form candidates, headed by Small Town Hero, who will attempt to complete the five timer. However, another hike in the weights could leave him vulnerable.

Duffys Hodey is another tempting option given his progress over hurdles last season. He is potentially well handicapped from his lower chase mark, although he lacks a recent run.

Preference is for top-weighted JAMES THE BRAVE, who left his hurdles form behind in making a successful chasing debut last month.

There was plenty to like about that performance, racing prominently and battling well once challenged.

While this is a deeper contest, the best is yet to come from this lightly raced five-year-old, and he can put up a bold bid to defend his unbeaten record over fences if coping with the forecast conditions.

12:10 Market Rasen - Lock Stock @ 5/2

Look out for LOCK STOCK in the opening contest at Market Rasen on Thursday. The son of Jack Hobbs made a highly encouraging hurdling debut on his seasonal return last time.

That second-placed finish came home behind a much more experienced odds-on shot who had run to a useful level last season. The form has already been franked by the third-placed runner, Poet Laureate, who ran out an easy winner next time.

Lock Stock has the benefit of race fitness over his likely main market rivals and any improvement on his run last time could make him difficult to beat for the in-form Ben Pauling yard.

14:10 Punchestown - Colcannon @ 8/11

COLCANNON appeals as potential banker material on Thursday if translating his smart bumper form to hurdles.

He beat Heads Up on last year's seasonal debut, who subsequently finished second in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

The five-year-old then went up another level in winning a Grade 2 at the Dublin Racing Festival, a race that produced two further Grade 2 winners in Sortudo and Green Splendour.

There was no disgrace in his final effort last year, finishing third in a Grade 1 when attempting to give weight to two smart mares.

His main market rival will likely be Koktail Brut, who wasn't far behind the selection at the DRF, but will have to improve to reserve that form.

Colcannon has proven his ability to handle deep ground and Noel Meade has taken this contest twice in recent years.

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