Steve Ryder Monday Racing Tips

This looks a competitive mares’ handicap hurdle but preference goes to recent course and distance winner SET IN STONE (best priced at 5/1). The Rebecca Menzies trained seven-year-old had a couple of runs on the flat for fitness in August and October but returned to hurdling with a win last time off a mark of 94. 

Set In Stone only won by a short head that day over this course and distance but showed a good attitude to defy her higher-rated rival. The second Wor Verge has returned to the venue since and finished runner-up again off a 4lb higher mark and the pair had pulled 12 lengths clear of the third. A 5lb rise from the handicapper, therefore, seems fair and she should run well with up to four places on offer. 

Nicky Henderson has had horses beaten at odds of 5/4, 13/8, 8/15, 5/2 and 11/8 in last two weeks so the stable isn’t flying at present and I feel Doddiethegreat looks worth opposing at his current price of 4/11. He no doubt has the most potential in the race but this is his hurdling debut following 230 days off the track and preference instead goes to the Ian Williams trained FIFRELET (best priced at 9/2). The six-year-old won a Worcester bumper in September before making a winning debut last time at Newton Abbott 42 days ago.

The concern with Fifrelet is that he jumped left-handed at some of his hurdles last time and he now goes right-handed but connections have fitted him with first-time cheekpieces to help him concentrate (was on an off the bridle in only a three-horse race) and I feel that should mean he has a chance of upsetting the favourite in this race. 

The Donald McCain trained MINELLA DRAMA (best priced at 1/1) developed into a high-class novice hurdler last season and the six-year-old made a winning chasing debut last time. He won three times over hurdles last season before chasing home My Drogo in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April.

Minella Drama won easily at Uttoxeter on his chasing debut jumping well apart from a mistake at the second last and he managed to ease clear from the runner-up by 8 ½ lengths despite conceding weight to the whole field. He is joint top-rated in this race but gets weight from his two main market rivals Gumball and Cheddleton. With race-fitness on his side, Minella Drama should be able to remain unbeaten over fences for the in-form Donald McCain yard who are currently operating at 36% strike rate.