Steve Ryder Thursday Racing Tips

The Noel Meade trained IDAS BOY (best priced at 13/8) returned from a year off to win a maiden hurdle over this course and distance and he should hold strong claims of following up in this race. The seven-year-old had previously finished 3rd on his only other start over hurdles behind Fighter Allen and Lifetime Ambition but put in a career-best performance to win last time.

Idas Boy jumped well throughout the contest and drew clear under Bryan Cooper to win by an eased down 9 ½ lengths. He achieved an RPR of 130 for that success which was higher than the equivalent ratings earnt by Quantum Realm and Churchstonewarrior for their respective recent wins and he should prove hard to beat off level weights with Bryan Cooper retaining the ride.

JESUITIQUE (best priced at 7/4) joined the Dr Richard Newland stable earlier this season from France and has won both of his starts for his new trainer. He won on his stable debut at Worcester off a mark of 110 before following up off a 5lb higher mark at Sandown in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
Cillin Leonard has ridden him to victory on both of those starts and retains the ride here claiming 5lb and Jesuitique runs here unpenalised for that success meaning he is 5lb “well in” at the weights. He goes up in class from a 0-130 to a 0-145 but he looks a progressive six-year-old and can hopefully remain unbeaten for new connections. 

The favourite Lake Chad is worthy of respect under a 5lb penalty but preference instead goes to the Noel Kelly trained ELLAAT (best priced at 7/2) who was a winner for this column two weeks ago. The five-year-old has won his last two starts over this course and distance and despite him now being rated 16lb higher than his opening success, he should hold strong claims of completing the hat-trick.

Ellaat was ridden confidently by Oran McGill last time to provide his rider with his first winner on track and he looks a talented 7lb claimer to keep an eye on. The better ground suits Ellaat well and he is expected to go well despite a rise in the weights.