Dave Nevison's top tips for Thursday: Kajaki worth risking at 16-1

This selection is a big price in a very competitive handicap hurdle, but I think he is worth risking each-way, especially with a bookmaker offering an extra place.

Nicky Richards is no stranger to success at the Perth Festival and often lays one out. This horse arrives here fresh after a promising run following a break last time out indicating that he has not lost his useful form of last season completely.

He ran well on his final start last season off a mark 11lb higher and would have done even better but for a mistake at the last, so is clearly well handicapped.

The five-month break he had mid-winter after two disappointing runs clearly suggests there was an issue and, if it has been resolved, his chance is there to see.

Maybe the market will give us an indication to his chances, but I am happy to risk him on ground that will definitely suit, and over a trip he is bred to stay well enough (he also stayed 2m on the flat).

I haven’t been on this horse for the winless run he is enduring, and only put him up once when he got beat at Goodwood, but I definitely thought I got a run for my money on that occasion as he made what looked a winning run before fading.

He has been beaten twice since, but his run last time on his seasonal reappearance was an encouraging effort, plus I am hoping the North-East air appeals to him and he can break the sequence at Beverley.

I am not worried about his mark and I believe he is surely capable of winning off 76. His yard’s runners are going pretty well so far and look poised to hit form, so I am hoping this four-year-old can make up for drawing a blank here last year.

Breath Of Joy won fresh first time out last season and hopefully can do the same here.

Amy Murphy has her string in good form and was tactically right in applying the hood for that first victory last year as her charge has scored with it on since.

Breath of Joy continued to progress last summer and possibly ran her best race under Hollie Doyle on her final start plus has only been raised a 1lb for that narrow defeat.

She has run well at this track before and is against seasoned, but largely exposed, handicappers who are useful, but might not have the upside this filly has.