Steve Ryder Saturday Racing Tips

Despite having to concede race fitness all but one runner in this field, I will take a chance on the Sue Gardner trained EMMPRESSIVE LADY (best priced at 5/1) in this. She won a novice hurdle at Exeter in November last year before winning a mares’ handicap hurdle on Sandown on her next start off a mark of 115. Her 2nd behind Molly Ollys Wishes at Kempton on her next start now looks strong form following that rival’s win in a listed race at Wetherby earlier this season and she now races here off only a 2lb higher mark. 

The handicapper has dropped Emmpressive Lady 2lb for a below par effort at Haydock in April which means she runs here off a mark of 122 and that should mean she runs well on her reappearance. The main danger appears to be Martha Brae who won on her stable debut for Dan Skelton last time at Exeter but an 8lb rise for a two length win seems harsh and preference instead goes to Emmpressive Lady. 
 

The Jamie Snowden trained STONEY MOUNTAIN (best priced at 18/1) won this race two years ago when trained by Henry Daly and owned by Trevor Hemmings and he should outrun his odds this year off a 4lb higher mark. He has since changed hands and joined Jamie Snowden and he won on his reappearance at Newbury beating the reopposing Didtheyleaveyououtto by ¾ length in a Pertemps Qualifier. 

The handicapper has raised the eight-year-old 4lb for that victory which seems fair and he should relish the ground that he will encounter in this race once again. Bookmakers are offering up to six places on this race and I think Stoney Mountain is overpriced to hit the frame once again. 

I tipped BRISTOL DE MAI (best priced at 3/1) as part of my antepost jumps preview but I am topping up again on the day. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained grey won this race in 2017, 2018 and last year and also finished 2nd behind Lostintranslation in 2019. That was his only defeat at Haydock in six runs and proved in 2018 that he isn’t reliant on heavy ground to show his best. 

The favourite A Plus Tard is respected on his Savills Chase win at Christmas and his Gold Cup effort but his form fresh is questionable having been beaten at odds of 5/4 and 1/2 on his previous two reappearance runs. I would have been interested in Royal Pagaille for this race as I was impressed with his Peter Marsh win here last season but having come back lame from his only run on ground better than soft in the Gold Cup, I can happily oppose him in this race. With proven form at Haydock and particularly in this race, I feel Bristol De Mai is unopposable and is a confident selection to equal Kauto Star’s record four wins in this race. 

I was initially going to leave this race alone with only seven runners declared but with both Skybet and WilliamHill are offering three places on the race, I feel AMOOLA GOLD (best priced at 13/2) is worth backing each way. The Dan Skelton trained eight-year-old won over this course and distance last season before finishing 2nd in this contest when only a neck behind subsequent Grade 1 winner First Flow in this race last season. 

Amoola Gold made a winning reappearance over this course and distance this season off a mark of 146 staying on well to beat Monsieur Lecoq by a head and he should hold strong claims off a 4lb higher mark. Connections fit him with first time cheekpieces in this race which should make the job of Bridget Andrews easier and he is the selection with those three places available on the race.