Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Anthony Honeyball trained MIDNIGHT CALLISTO (best priced at 13/8) has performed consistently well on her previous three starts and should hold strong claims once again in this race. She finished 2nd by a length off a mark of 100 at Taunton before finishing 3rd at Wincanton off a mark of 105 in first-time cheekpieces in January. 

Midnight Callisto got off the mark over hurdles last time on her ninth attempt in a weak-looking mares’ maiden hurdle but it was an impressive 26 length victory in the end. She has remained unchanged on a mark of 105 and should run well with Ben Godfrey once again claiming 3lbs. 

The Cynthia Woods trained GLORIOUS LADY (best priced at 13/8) defied odds of 22/1 to win at Warwick a week ago despite racing from 14lbs out of the handicap. She drops down in class from a Class 3 handicap to a Class 4 handicap and is technically 10lbs well in off her mark under a 7lb penalty. 

The main negative is the drop in trip from 3 miles down to 2m4f but Glorious Lady was fitted with first-time cheekpieces last time and should still be unexposed in headgear. She is too well handicapped from 10lbs “well in” to ignore and should prove hard to beat.  

This looks a competitive 0-110 handicap hurdle but preference goes to the Rebecca Menzies trained TWOSHOTSOFTEQUILA (best priced at 10/3) who arrives into this race following a good run at Sedgefield last time. The five-year-old won a maiden hurdle at Sedgefield on Boxing Day before finishing 2nd in two handicap hurdles at Newcastle and Sedgefield off a mark of 107.

Twoshotsoftequila was only beaten by ½ length last time on her first start over 2m4f with the pair pulling six lengths clear of the third. She runs here 5lbs “well in” at the weights following a rise from the handicapper up to a mark of 112 and she should hold strong claims if repeating her latest run.