Warwick, Salisbury and Southwell – Thursday 3 October

There’s a mix of jumps and flat racing across Britain and Ireland today, with seven meetings planned in the afternoon and evening.

First up is Warwick (1.23-4.35) before they head to Bellewstown (1.35-5.15), Southwell (2.00-5.10), Salisbury (2.10-4.50) and Clonmel (2.15-5.25), Newcastle (4.00-8.10) and finally Chelmsford . (5:00-8:30).

Among our Thursday fantasies is one for the in-form Olly Murphy, who won well on the chase debut at Worcester last month and hinted that there could be more to come.

Horse racing tips today – Warwick, Salisbury and Southwell

Jake Aldrich’s picks for Thursday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind it.

• Nap: Roccovango (Warwick, 2.55) @ SP with BetMGM
• Next best: Small Fry (Salisbury, 4.50) @ SP with BetMGM
• Other: On The Air (Southwell, 4.10) @ SP with BetMGM

Odds, correct at time of publication, may be subject to change.

Horse Racing Tips: Warwick, 2.55

We head to the Midlands for the first chase race on the card, a limited handicap with a small but select field. The powerful Skelton yard could be popular here, with Asta La Pasta having a nice improving profile.

He has won three of his six starts over fences and will need to be at the top of his game when he makes his pursuit debut, but he misses a recent mark – and that could prove to be the difference.

With that in mind, this brings us to ROCCOVANGOrepresenting Murphy’s in-shape garden. This eight-year-old has already shown a preference for the bigger obstacles.

He ran the same course at Worcester 22 days ago in a Class 4 handicap pursuit, riding well with a good jumping round. Although it wandered when it hit the front, it stayed on the line well and there should be more in the tank.

The handicapper has put him on £6 for that success, but that may not be enough to stop him from entering again. Murphy has had four winners from 10 runners in the last 14 days and jockey Sean Bowen is handling this horse well, with three wins from four races.

A few of the seven-person field have questions to answer after previously failing to show they enjoy hunting. On the other hand, the Ocovango gelding can put his racing fitness and jumping experience to good use here and get the job done.

Selection: Roccovango @ SP with BetMGM

Horse racing tips: Salisbury, 4.50

The final race at the Wiltshire venue looks like another great opportunity for SMALL FRIES to fend off his rivals and gain three victories over them.

This three-year-old gelding owned by Gary and Joshua Moore has won three of his past four starts in handicaps and should be taken seriously here after confirming he is at the top of his game.

He was the first in comfortable style at Chester on this trip twelve days ago. Always well positioned and quick to put the race to bed, he could have won by a greater margin than the actual length and a half, suggesting he has untapped reserves.

The handicapper has made him another 6 pounds heavier in a slightly better race. But as a light breed, and with connections that do well with similar types, he remains the one to beat.

Selection: Little Fry @ SP with BetMGM

Horse racing tips: Southwell, 4.10

IN THE AIR has been disappointing since joining Adam West in January, struggling to make an impact in five runs, having previously shown glimpses of form playing alongside Gary Moore.

He finished second to Jpr One in a handicap hurdle at Taunton last March and that was followed by a win at Fontwell, so he has shown flashes of his ability.

This gelding has now joined Nicky Henderson’s powerful stable, which can only be seen as a positive, especially with the booking of Nico de Boinville.

The trainer has a 31 percent winning record at this Nottinghamshire venue, so it’s always worth a look when he sends one here.

In The Air received a score of no less than 120 over obstacles. Now that he is six years old and has a rating of 106 behind him, he is a much better horse than that and should be difficult to beat when he is ready to get rid of this rating and this handy weight.

Selection: On The Air @ SP with BetMGM