There’s plenty of racing action on Thursday with six meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland.

Jump racing comes from Exeter (1.40-5.10pm) – the first meeting of the new season at the Devon circuit – plus Worcester (1.55-5.20) and Tramore (2.00-5.25). There are Flat cards at The Curragh (1.15-5.10), Ayr (2.10-5.40) and on the all-weather at Chelmsford City (4.25-8.30).

Our Thursday nap steps in trip at Ayr and looks tailor-made for the assignment after a pair of recent successes at Hamilton. 

Horse racing tips today – Ayr, Chelmsford and Exeter

Enda McElhinney’s picks for Thursday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.

Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.

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Horse racing tips: Ayr 5.40

Jim Goldie’s JAMINOZ appears to be finding his niche as his stamina gets teased out. He struggled to make an impact in his first season, often sent off at big prices and trying a variety of trips from 5f to 1m 1f before scoring over 7f on heavy ground at Ayr on his final turf start in October.

He took his time to get going this season as a four-year-old but then put together some consistent runs in midsummer without winning. Once again, the best has come from him in the autumn and he is back at Ayr following successive wins at Hamilton Park.

The first of those successes came over 1m 1f last month but last week he really powered home over 1m 4f on soft going – an effort that bodes well for this extra distance. He may be 8lb higher now but in his current mood a mark of 63 is unlikely to prohibit more success in Scotland. 

Selection: Jaminoz @ SP with Betfair

Horse racing tips: Chelmsford 5.00

The Stuart Williams team will be hopeful of seeing BLUE FLAME register a first win for their operation in this 7f handicap. He hasn’t visited the winner’s circle since April 2022, when he was trained by Ed Dunlop, but he has shown signs recently that he can take advantage of a declining mark before long.

The six-year-old was third at Kempton over today’s trip late last month and made a bold bid from the front here a week ago, again over 7f, only narrowly giving best to the in-form Thomas Equinas.

Marco Ghiani’s mount races off a mark 12lb lower than that most recent success, which came at Lingfield. He’s due a 4lb rise after this and it looks a fine opportunity for him to end his losing run if he can replicate that effort here from seven days ago.

Selection: Blue Flame @ SP with Betfair

Horse racing tips: Exeter 4.00

The prevailing quick ground for Exeter’s first meeting of the new season isn’t certain to suit all but in-form PITTSBURG for is one that should be at home in this 2m ½f handicap hurdle.

Ryan Potter’s charge has figures of 11222 in hurdles and chases since the start of August, winning over fences at Perth and Market Rasen on good ground before finishing second by a nose at Carlisle from this mark at the end of the month.

He was second over hurdles in September at Uttoxeter, beaten only by a next-time-out winner, and another solid effort earned him a silver medal again at Bangor last time. He goes back over timber rated 4lb lower and with Finn Lambert returning in the saddle to take off a handy 5lb. 

Everything looks to be in place for another big run and the good going will not be a concern given those August wins both came on faster ground.

Selection: Pittsburg @ SP with Betfair

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