Following a 9/2 winner and two places yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
15:00 Leicester
The Fergal O’Brien trained PRIDE OF LECALE (best priced at 3-1) was a 22/1 winner for the column in January when he dropped down to 2 miles for the first time in six years and it is that drop back down in trip which means he is the selection for this race. The lightly raced eleven-year-old had dropped down from a mark of 124 down to a mark of 105 when a 5 ½ length winner on his penultimate start when victorious by 5 ½ lengths at Ffos Las.
The handicapper raised Pride Of Lecale 8lbs for that victory up to a mark of 113 when he then finished 4th at Ffos Las when stepped back up in trip to 2m3½f. He is a keen going sort who looks better suited to 2 miles than the intermediate trip so this drop back in trip should suit him well. Oscar Leader runs here under a 7lb penalty and he looks the biggest danger over File Illico who finished well beaten at Ffos Las last time.
16:50 Newcastle
COLINTON (best priced at 7-4) won twice at Wolverhampton last season once fitted with cheekpieces when trained by Rebecca Menzies and he has continued his good form this season since joining the Katie Scott stable. The four-year-old returned from a 164 day break to win over this course and distance by ½ length despite jockey Jason Hart dropping his whip 2f out.
The handicapper has raised Colinton 4lbs up to a mark of 62 so he has gone up in class for this race but he looks the most likely winner. The ten-year-old Lopes Dancer is the only other horse to show recent form but that was only in a claimer at Wolverhampton and the form of Colinton is much stronger.
19:00 Newcastle
This looks an interesting four runner conditions race and the David Barron trained VENTUROUS (best priced at 7-4) is the selection at the weights. The nine-year-old is top rated in this field with a mark of 106 (1lb higher than Judicial) but receives 3lbs from that rival in this race.
Venturous has a good record at Newcastle with four wins and a 2nd place from seven runs including a win over 5f here 58 days ago. He is a five-time winner over 6f in his career so this step up in trip shouldn’t inconvenience him and I expect him to prove hard to beat.
