Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive renewal of the Manifesto Novices’ Chase and I think it worth backing WAR LORD (best priced at 3/1) on this step up in trip. The Colin Tizzard trained seven-year-old has won three out of his five starts over fences and comes into the race having finished 4th in the Arkle at the Cheltenham festival. That looked a good race on paper and War Lord just seemed to be outpaced over the 2 mile trip when the pace increased 3 out but stayed on well to finish only three lengths behind Blue Lord.

War Lord finished 2nd behind Edwardstone in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December but has won at Newton Abbott, Carlisle and Lingfield this season. He has 5lbs to find with Pic D’Orhy on ratings but should improve for this step up in trip and I expect him to get back to winning ways.

The Triumph Hurdle 3rd Pied Piper heads the market for this Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle but I prefer the chances of Cheltenham Festival winner BRAZIL (best priced at 9/4). The Padraig Roche trained four-year-old won the Boodles Handicap Hurdle off a big weight and that race didn’t go completely to plan either. Gaelic Warrior hampered him a few times by jumping right across him and he fought back well to beat him by a short head at the finish. 

Brazil was a clear non-trier earlier on this season in order to get a mark so I wouldn’t hold any of that form against him and it is worth remembering that he is extremely well-bred being a full brother to Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri. The handicapper has him only 1lb behind Pied Piper on ratings and I do think it is closer than the odds suggest. 

The Dan Skelton trained PROTEKTORAT (best priced at 3/1) isn’t top rated in this field but comes into the race in great form this season. The seven-year-old finished 3rd in the Gold Cup despite making a bad mistake at the last and that was a career-best performance. He is 2/2 at Aintree following his victory at this festival last year and in the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase in December so we know this track suits him well.

Clan Des Obeaux won this race in first-time cheekpieces last season and connections fit him with first-time blinkers this year but I feel the main danger is Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated who was staying on well in the Ryanair Chase when falling at the 2nd last. Given the course form of Protektorat and his run in the Gold Cup I do feel he is the most solid option and expect him to prove hard to beat.

Trainer Sam Thomas decided to withdraw BEFORE MIDNIGHT (best priced at 15/2) on heavy ground when well fancied for the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and I think he will reap the rewards in this race. The nine-year-old has been in consistent form this season with form figures of 1142 with his only disappointing effort coming when taking on Shishkin in the Desert Orchid Chase at Sandown. 

Before Midnight finished 2nd behind Funambule Sivola at Doncaster in January off a mark of 148 and he gets to run here off the same mark despite the winner boosting the form since. Funambule Sivola won the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase on his next start before finishing 2nd behind Energumene in the Champion Chase last time. Bookmakers are offering up to six places on the race and I think he rates a solid selection.