Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This is a disappointing turnout of three runners contesting this Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes and I do think the market is underestimating the chances of the outsider JUAN ELCANO (best priced at 5/1). The Kevin Ryan trained five-year-old has form figures of 151 on his first starts of the season with his fifth placed effort coming when only beaten 4 lengths as a 66/1 shot in the 2000 Guineas behind Kameko. 
Juan Elcano won the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot on his reappearance last season before finishing only a head behind Bangkok in the Group 2 York Stakes on his next start. Tactics are going to play a big part in this race and Juan Elcano is versatile in regard to this which will be a big advantage to Kevin Stott and I do think he can upset his better-fancied rivals.  

The Tim Easterby trained BAY BREEZE (best priced at 15/8) was an impressive five-length winner at Ripon on his reappearance and he should prove hard to beat under a 6lb penalty. The three-year-old took a while to get off the mark as a juvenile but it was significant how strong he was in the market on his reappearance having been gelded over the winter. His two victories have both come on soft ground which raises a slight doubt over this ground but a repeat of his effort last time should be enough to win this. 
The handicapper has raised Bay Breeze 11lbs for his victory last time so he runs here 5lbs “well in” and I expect him to make it 2/2 this season. 

Godolphin hold strong claims with the odds on favourite Goldspur for the in-form Charlie Appleby yard but I feel the owner’s second string FRANZ STRAUSS (best priced at 16/1) is overpriced for this Group 3 Classic Trial. Trainer John Gosden has won this race a record nine times including recently in 2017 and 2018 and it seems significant that he runs this son of Golden Horn in this race on only his second start.
Despite Franz Strauss only winning by ½ length at the finish on his racecourse debut at Newcastle in December, it was an impressive performance as he missed the break before coming home strongly over a mile. The form has been boosted with the 2nd Nolton Cross winning on his next start and the third Eydon winning the Feilden Stakes in impressive style on his reappearance. This step-up in trip to 1m2f should suit him well and I expect him to outrun his odds in this race.