Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Despite the Gordon Elliott trained Ardhill (best priced at 7/4) racing from 3lbs out of the handicap in this race, I do think he remains well handicapped and can follow up his impressive victory at Ascot last time. The seven-year-old had been badly out of form in the 2020/2021 season but returned from a 110 day break to win by 7 ½ lengths at Ascot. He landed a big gamble that day in first time blinkers but interestingly Gordon Elliott stated that the return to better ground was a factor in his improved performance.

This drop back to 2m4f miles on soft/heavy ground therefore wouldn’t necessarily suit him based on those comments but I am sure the main factor for improvement was the application of blinkers which he wears again today. Ardhill races from 3lbs out of the handicap so effectively off a 10lbs higher mark but he should be good enough to win this.

The form of Our Power’s (best priced at 14/1) victories over fences have received notable form boosts and I think he holds strong claims in this race. The seven-year-old got off the mark over fences at Wincanton in December defeating Jacamar by a head off a mark of 129 with the pair pulling 13 lengths clear of the third. That rival won a handicap chase on Boxing Day on his next start off a 2lb higher mark earning him a 3lb rise for that victory.

Our Power fell at the first fence on his next start but bounced back only three days later with a victory at Huntingdon where he beat Dorking Lad by 1 ½ lengths. That rival has won twice since including by 20 lengths on Thursday and will be rated about 10lbs higher than when he met Our Power. The selection has only been raised 2lbs by the handicapper for his latest victory so he looks extremely well handicapped still and should run well for the in-form Sam Thomas yard (3-3 in the last two weeks) with five places on offer if coping with this step up in trip and grade.

Lydford (best priced at 17/2) had made a brilliant transition to hurdling having joined Dan Skelton from Roger Varian and can bounce back from a slightly disappointing effort on his handicap debut last time. The five-year-old finished 2nd on his hurdling debut at Leicester before getting off the mark at Southwell in November. He defeated a 4/7 favourite on boxing day at Market Rasen by three lengths and was awarded an opening handicap mark of 126.

Lydford was sent off only 6/1 in a really competitive 0-135 handicap at Warwick last time where he finished 4th behind Barrichello, Good Risk At All and Washington. The winner is 1/6 in a novice hurdle under a penalty today, the second won easily on his next start off a 3lb higher mark and is now rated 13lbs higher and the third hasn’t run since. Lydford has been dropped 2lbs for finishing 4th that day and connections also fit him with first time cheekpieces. Bookmakers are offering up to four places on the race and he should run well.