Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Henry De Bromhead trained DECIMATION (best priced at 12/1) finished 2nd in the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle on this card last season and I expect him to bounce back to form with his sights lowered. The seven-year-old has only been seen twice so far this season with his reappearance run when only beaten 6 ¼ lengths over 2m4f here in February. 

Decimation fell at the fourth hurdle in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival when running off a mark of 140 and he now runs here off a mark of 135 off top weight. Connections have let 5lb claimer Mike O’Connor retain the ride for this race and I expect him to run well with six places on offer. 

BERMEO (best priced at 7/2) won on his stable debut for Harry Fry last time and he should hold strong claims off only an 8lb higher mark. The eleven-year-old was previously rated as high as 115 when trained by Johnny Farrelly but had lost his way since joining Tim Vaughan in 2021. 

Bermeo won 16 days ago off a mark of 107 when he beat the in-form First Figaro by five lengths at Newbury. The handicapper has raised him 8lbs for that victory but he remains reasonably handicapped off a mark of 115 and should run well if he is in the same form.

The Willie Mullins trained JANIDIL (best priced at evens) is clear on ratings in this Grade 2 and despite having to concede weight to his rivals, he should prove hard to beat. The eight-year-old hasn’t won since his Grade 1 Novice Chase victory at this meeting last year but has run well to finish 2nd behind Allaho in both the John Durkan Chase and the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival. 

Willie Mullins has the first four horses in the market in this race with Blackbow looking the biggest danger but his jumping is always a question mark and I expect Janidil to win this Grade 2 contest. 

Only three runners contest this 0-105 handicap chase but I feel the market is underestimating the chances of TIMELY GIFT (best priced at 11/8) upsetting the favourite. The Tim Vaughan trained nine-year-old is a consistent performer with form figures of 33312 over fences in 2022 with his 5 ½ length victory coming at Chepstow on his penultimate start when fitted with first-time cheekpieces. 

That victory came off a mark of 72 and he then finished 2nd last time at Taunton off a mark of 79 which is the same mark as he runs off today. The form of that run has been boosted by the winner Cobra Commander winning by four lengths off a 9lb higher mark on Saturday so Timely Gift could prove well treated off the same mark and I expect him to upset the favourite.