Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action with two running at Newcastle and one at Leicester.
13:00 Leicester
Dr Oakley runs here 2lbs “well in” at the weights but preference instead goes to the Ali Stronge trained EAIRSIDH (best priced at 3/1) whose latest run is working out well. The seven-year-old finished a close 2nd in a novice handicap chase over this course and distance in January off a mark of 79 and he should hold strong claims off a 2lb higher mark.
The form of that run is working out well with the winner Just Don’t Know winning on his next start (now rated 11lbs higher) and the third Coupdebol winning by eight lengths on his next start (now rated 10lbs higher). That makes Eairsidh look well handicapped off only a 2lb higher mark and he should prove hard to beat with James Davies retaining the ride.
13:55 Newcastle
The Ian Williams trained OUR IDIC BOY (best priced at 5/2) has been in good form so far this season and he should prove hard to beat if returning from a 109-day break in the same form. The eight-year-old won by 4 ½ lengths over this course and distance on his penultimate start before disappointing favourite backers next time at Ludlow when only second at a price of 8/15.
In hindsight that was still a really good run as the winner Art Of Diplomacy has won twice since including off an 18lbs higher mark. Our Idic Boy runs here off only a 3lbs higher mark so he still looks well handicapped and connections should be rewarded for waiting until he gets his favoured good ground.
15:05 Newcastle
This looks like a wide-open 0-100 handicap hurdle with very few pieces of notable form so preference goes to the handicap debutant ALGHAZAAL (best priced at 9/4) who looks well handicapped in comparison to his flat form. The five-year-old is rated as high 83 on the all weather so he looks incredibly well handicapped off an opening handicap mark of 98 over hurdles.
Alghazaal has finished well beaten on his three starts over hurdles so far but his latest two efforts have come at SPs of 40/1 and 100/1 so it is clear that connections were targeting handicaps instead. Brian Hughes takes over for the first time and I expect the top weight to prove hard to beat.
