Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Bookmakers have SIR TIVO (best priced at 3/1) the outsider of three in this Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase but I feel that underestimates his chances. The Gary Hanmer trained eight-year-old had form figures of 311212151 over fences in 2021 with his only disappointing effort coming when outclassed behind Third Time Lucki at Cheltenham in October. His latest victory came at Doncaster in November when he won a handicap chase easily by four lengths in impressive style. 

The handicapper has raised Sir Tivo 5lbs for that success which is fair and I think he can put it up to the favourite Hardy Du Seuil. Stepney Causeway was disappointing when switched back hurdling at the Cheltenham Festival and connections in truth probably want to maintain his novice status for next season. Preference, therefore, goes to Sir Tivo at the prices and I think this previous course and distance winner could prove hard to beat.  

The Gosden stable won this race last season with the unexposed Waldkonig on his handicap debut and they bid to do the same again this year with the similarly unexposed PETER THE GREAT (best priced at 2/1). The son of New Approach won the Wood Ditton on his racecourse debut last season before finishing 2nd on the AW at Newcastle on his next start. He won on good to soft ground at Newmarket in a novice race under a penalty in June before finishing 5th on his handicap debut at Newmarket in July off a mark of 92. 

Peter The Great ran well for such an inexperienced horse in a heritage handicap and he gets to run here off the same mark. Connections have gelded him over the winter and he could progress well through handicaps this season. 

GETTHEPOT (best priced at 13/2) has dropped 10lbs in the handicap in four runs since joining the Fergal O’Brien yard but I expect him to bounce back to form in this race. The seven-year-old runs here following a first time wind operation, is fitted with a first time tongue tie, has cheekpieces applied for the first time and also drops into a 0-100 handicap for the first time. 

Getthepot won over this trip by nine lengths at Ayr in May off a mark of 96 and he has now dropped down to a mark of 98 which is the lowest mark since that victory. With all of those ‘first times’ in this race he looks chancing with Max Kendrick taking the ride.