Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Gary Hanmer trained STEEL WAVE (best priced at 5-2) faces five rivals who come into the race out of form so he is the obvious selection. The twelve-year-old has form figures of 2122 this year with his latest 2nd coming off this mark of 99.

Although Steel Wave was beaten 4 ¼ lengths at the finish, he ran well despite racing keenly and a repeat of that effort should be good enough against out of form rivals.

There is very little doubt that Clear The Runway would have won last time without a mistake at the 2nd last fence but he looks vulnerable dropped in trip off a 6lb higher mark so I prefer the chances of MINELLA HUB (best priced at 9-4) who comes here on a hat-trick. The Pat Murphy trained seven-year-old finished well beaten in three novice hurdles but has won both of his starts over fences since going handicapping.

Minella Hub won at Plumpton by 9 ½ lengths off a mark of 105 before following up off a 7lb higher mark over the same course and distance 21 days ago by eight lengths. The handicapper has raised the gelding 10lbs for that victory but he looks extremely progressive and should prove hard to beat.

This looks a competitive 0-130 handicap hurdle but preference goes to ELECTRIC ANNIE (best priced at 10-3) who bids for a course hat-trick. The Jack Barber trained seven-year-old finished 2nd at Taunton off a mark of 95 in November before getting off the mark over hurdles on his next start over this course and distance in December off the same mark. He was an impressive winner that day on this good to soft ground by 12 lengths which earnt him a 10lb rise from the handicapper.

Electric Annie defied that rise over 2m5f here last time by 2 ¼ lengths and is well deserving of this extra 6lb rise. He goes up in class to a Class 3 handicap for the first time but he looks progressive and should prove hard to beat at a course we know he handles well.