Steve Ryder Thursday Racing Tips

This looks a competitive five runner 0-130 handicap but preference goes to the Chris Gordon trained PRESS YOUR LUCK (best priced at 5-1). The seven-year-old has an inconsistent profile but would hold strong claims based on the form of his penultimate start. That run came in October at Fontwell when he finished 2nd in a four runner race beaten only a length by Mr One More and that rival has since finished a close 5th in a better race at Sandown.

Press Your Luck has been dropped 2lbs for a below par effort in the listed Lanzarote Handicap at Kempton last time where he wore first time cheekpieces and that makes him look attractively handicapped off a mark of 128. Connections take the headgear back off and he should be involved in the finish if repeating the form of his penultimate run.

The well-bred PLENTY OF TIME (best priced at 2-1) made £75,000 at the Cheltenham sales in November having won an Irish PTP the previous month and made an encouraging hurdling debut last month when 2nd at this course. The Harriet Brown trained mare finished only ¾ length behind Abuffalosoldier who came into the race with a fitness edge having won a Southwell bumper the previous month and back in third came the 122 rated Grosvenor Court who had the previous experience of three hurdles starts.

Plenty Of Time should be well suited by this slight step up in trip to 2m5f and I expect her to get off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles.

Previous course and distance winner Salta Resta warrants respect in this race but I prefer the chances of MARSH BENHAM (best priced at 5-2) who comes here following two runner-up efforts at Kempton. The Charlie Hills trained gelding struggled in his runs as a juvenile but has performed much better following his return from a 74 day break.

Marsh Benham has twice been beaten by Exceling at Kempton but got much closer 10 days ago when only beaten a short head and he gets to run in this race off the same mark which makes him 2lb “well in” at the weights. He runs here off joint top weight off a mark of 62 in this 0-60 handicap and I expect him to prove hard to beat under Kieran Shoemark.