Steve Ryder Saturday Racing Tips

None of this field look likely to emulate 2017 winner Willoughby Court who went on to win at the Cheltenham festival but I do feel the Ian Williams trained PARTY BUSINESS (best priced at 10-3) is the most likely winner of this Grade 2. The six-year-old defied odds of 22/1 to win an Ascot maiden hurdle in December beating the well regarded Nicky Henderson trained City Chief before falling at the second last in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle when still in contention.

Unfortunately, Party Business is a lot shorter than his SP of 33/1 for this race but I would prefer his chances to Surrey Quest despite his rival being rated 1lb higher by the handicapper.

Despite the Nicky Henderson yard appearing not to be in the best of form, I do feel MARIE'S ROCK (best priced at 13-2) holds strong claims of following up her impressive course and distance victory on Boxing Day. The seven-year-old mare was antepost favourite for the mares’ novice hurdle at the Cheltenham festival a couple of years ago before she was ruled out with an injury. She had disappointed on her starts since but as a result had dropped down from a mark of 141 to 131 before bolting up over this course and distance last time.

Marie’s Rock was given a patient ride by Adrian Heskin that day before beating the in-form An Tailliur by a widening seven lengths at the finish. The handicapper has raised her 9lbs which is fair and I expect her to hit the frame with up to seven places available.

The Dan Skelton trained SHANNON BRIDGE (best priced at 11-2) won this race last year off a mark of 128 and should prove hard to beat off only 3lbs higher. The nine-year-old won this race in first time blinkers that day by 5 ½ lengths before winning an Ascot on his next start off a mark of 133.

The handicapper raised Shannon Bridge 7lbs for that victory up to a mark of 140 but he has interestingly run without headgear on his four starts this season and has form figures of P709 with those defeats coming at distances of 60 lengths, 68 lengths and 31 lengths. That has meant the handicapper has dropped him down to a mark of 131 and he should prove extremely hard to beat with blinkers back on.

The market for the Classic Chase is dominated by younger rivals this year but I like the chances of the Dr Richard Newland trained MINELLA ENCORE (best priced at 16-1). The ten-year-old won on his reappearance at Fakenham off a mark of 125 but took that form to a new level last time in first-time blinkers when bolting up at Ludlow by 18 lengths.

That victory never looked in doubt for Minella Encore that day and he would hold strong claims if the blinkers work the trick for a second time. The handicapper has raised him 9lbs for that win but that is fair and I think he is worth taking a chance on despite this extra distance of 5f which is a slight question mark.