Dave Nevison's top horse racing tips for Thursday

Fast ground at the jumps tracks means there is a shortage of runners once more in the handicaps, so I have had to spread my net over three cards on Thursday. Hopefully, the fields for Cheltenham will hold up over the coming days with watering taking place.

Looks another likely winner for in-form Olly Murphy in an uncompetitive affair.

He has had a small break since he ran well on two occasions up at Perth but given the form of the yard I am not concerned about him losing his fitness and he has previously won off a much longer break.

His jumping is sometimes suspect but has been holding up recently and Market Rasen does not have the stiffest of fences. He looks likely to lead, which is a running style suited to this track. A first win over fences for him is definitely on the cards.

It is puzzling why this mare is running off a lower mark than when winning on her penultimate start.

True, she was well beaten last time but that was her first run for five months and she made a bad mistake two out and was eased down. She has previously been felt good enough to run in Listed grade over hurdles, and when she won at Stratford last October she was left on the same mark.

Kim Bailey has his team in good form and good ground on a sharp track should suit Diamond Gait over this trip.

May just have been freshened up by a move to Charlie Wallis to judge by his close second over course and distance, on his first run for the trainer.

He is certainly well handicapped, having steadily dropped down the weights during his time with Paul Midgely (with the odd good run along the way). He is a 1lb better off with Araifjan, who beat him a neck last time, so it should be very close but if he has thrived since for the new yard he might well improve past him.

Look out for bookmakers offering an extra place in this, as it’s a really competitive handicap.