Steve Ryder Tuesday Racing Tips

The Iain Jardine trained ANIMORE (best priced at 15-8) has been in good form since a break with form figures of 3212 over fences and I am hoping she can defy a career-high mark in this race. The eight-year-old won at Hexham on her penultimate start off a mark of 106 by four lengths under a good front running ride from Conor O’Farrell.

Animore finished 2nd behind Dorking Boy over this course and distance last time when only beaten ½ length and she holds strong claims off only 1lb higher. Connections fit her with first-time cheekpieces for this race which I assume is due to two close defeats in her previous three starts and I expect her to prove hard to beat.

NO COMMENT (best priced at 9-4) was a winner for the column a week ago when victorious in a conditional jockeys’ veterans’ chase and he should hold strong claims of following up in this race. The Philip Hobbs trained ten-year-old is unpenalised that success and I am hoping that first success in nearly five years means the horse is full of confidence.

No Comment was rated as high as 138 over fences when finishing 5th in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 so he is clearly well handicapped off a mark of 123 and showed that when an easy four-length winner at Huntingdon last time. He travelled easily under Sean Houlihan last time and should prove hard to beat with Tom O’Brien taking back over.

MI LIGHTHOUSE (best priced at 9-4) has superior form to the Peter Fahey trained Outback Flyer in bumpers and should prove hard to beat now on his stable debut for Willie Mullins. The seven-year-old mare had previously placed in two bumpers when trained by Jonathan Sweeney and the champion trainer is expected to bring about some improvement from her.

Mi Lighthouse returns from a 202 day break against a race-fit rival but the daughter of Arctic Cosmos is expected to run well for her new stable and should prove hard to beat under Jody Townend.