Steve Ryder Wednesday Racing Tips

The Stuart Edmunds trained MASKADA (best priced at 15/4) had a progressive profile over hurdles last season and she comes here following a very respectable chasing debut last month. The five-year-old ended last season with a rating of 130 over hurdles but put in a career-best performance according to RPRs when 3rd at Uttoxeter on her chasing debut 38 days ago. 

Maskada finished only 3 ¾ lengths behind the winner Faivoir that day with next time out winner Annual Invictus only 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the mare. The form looks strong with the 151 rated hurdler Milkwood back in fourth and that chasing experience should give her the advantage over The Glancing Queen, Emmas Joy and Could Be Trouble who all make their chasing debuts in this race. 

Venetia Williams has a fantastic record with chasers returning after a break therefore BELAMI DES PICTONS (best priced at 6/1) is of huge interest on his return following 641 days off the track. The handicapper has also been kind to the ten-year-old by dropping him 9lb since his last run at Warwick in February 2020. He won a novice hurdle at the course on his only run here and also ran well fresh when 2nd behind Waiting Patiently in an intermediate chase and also when 4th in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2019. 

Belami Des Pictons had a peak rating of 148 so he looks well handicapped off a mark of 135 and he should run well given the yards good record with horses off a break. 

The Alan King trained PAINLESS POTTER (best priced at 6/4) was the highest-rated of these on the flat and should prove hard to beat following his encouraging hurdling debut at Kempton last time. The three-year-old travelled best of all last time at Kempton before weakening between 2 out and the last when he made a mistake. 

The vet stated that the Painless Potter had lost a shoe during the race which could explain his weak finishing effort and he should be able to get off the mark at the second attempt in this weaker contest (drops from a Class 3 into a Class 4). 

I can’t resist backing the Robert Stephens trained ESPRESSO FREDDO (best priced at 7/1) now he returns to Kempton following a close 2nd at Newmarket last time. The gelding won over this course and distance in December off a mark of 73 before two placed efforts over the same course and distance off a mark of 76. 
Following below-par efforts on turf recently, Espresso Freddo had dropped down to a mark of 65 before he finished only ½ length behind Masked Identity at Newmarket over a mile. The handicapper has raised the gelding 2lb for that effort but he remains well handicapped off a mark of 67 (6lb lower than his previous win) and should run well with up to five places on offer.