Steve Ryder Friday Racing Tips

The Simon Hodgson trained C'EST NO MOUR (best priced at 9/4) is 2/2 over this course and distance and should hold strong claims of remaining undefeated in this race. The eight-year-old beat Protected Guest by a short head in December 2020 off a mark of 86 before defeating the same rival 13 days ago by 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 91. Protected Guest reopposes here only 2lb better terms but he has an awkward head carriage which is probably a large factor in his record being only 5-43 in his career. 
Richard Kingscote gave C’Est No Mour a confident ride last time on his first ride on the horse and he retains the partnership in this race. He will once again be well suited by a small field and should prove hard to beat off a mark of 93.

The Gordon Elliott trained RAGNAR LODBROK (best priced at 9/1) fell just below the graded standard as a novice hurdler last season but now looks extremely well handicapped over fences following three quiet runs in novice chases. He won a maiden hurdle at Galway last season before finishing runner-up in a listed hurdle at Cork and a Grade 3 at Cork both over a trip of 3 miles. He finished 6th only beaten 4 ½ lengths at Fairyhouse in a big field handicap hurdle in April off a mark of 128 and that makes him look well handicapped off an opening mark of 119 over fences.

So far Ragnar Lodbrok has been beaten 35 lengths over 2m2f, 43 lengths over 2m6f and 50 lengths over 2m5f on his three starts over fences but now steps up in trip to just shy of 3 miles on his handicap debut, is fitted with first time blinkers and is reunited with Jack Kennedy. I expect to see an improved effort from him in this race.

The Lucy Wadham trained SOMEKINDOFSTAR (best priced at 3/1) returned from a 218 day break to finish 2nd at Fontwell and he should prove hard to beat in an easier race. The eight-year-old finished only a length behind top weight Kap Auteuil that day in a Class 3 0-135 handicap and he now drops down in grade to a Class 4 0-120 handicap off top weight. 

Somekindofstar won when first-time blinkers replaced cheekpieces last season so it is interesting that those blinkers and now replaced by a first-time visor. If those bring about any improvement then he should prove hard to beat off only a 2lb higher mark.