Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Hughie Morrison trained Nusa Bua (best priced at 7/4) showed very little on his first three starts but arguably should have won on his handicap debut last time with a better ride. The son of Australia returned from a 202 day break to make his handicap debut off an opening mark of 63 where he was upped in trip to 1m2f for the first time.

George Rooke help Nusa Bua up in rear before staying on well in the closing stages to finish only 1 ½ lengths behind the winner Dal Mallart. William Buick now takes over on board and he should prove hard to beat from 1lb “well in” at the weights.

This looks a competitive 0-105 novices’ handicap chase but preference goes to the Alexandra Dunn trained Toad Of Toad Hall (best priced at 5/1) who made an encouraging chasing debut last time. The six-year-old had previously showed very little form over hurdles where his handicap mark had dropped down to 79 when making his chasing debut at Fontwell last time.

Toad Of Toad Hall was sent off an unfancied 25/1 shot last time under Philip Armson but he eventually only lost by a neck with the pair pulling 8 ½ lengths clear of the third. The form that run has been boosted by the winner Balkardy following up at Ffos Las off a 5lb higher mark so a 3lb rise for Toad Of Toad Hall seems fair and I expect him to run well if in the same form.

The Jedd O’Keefe trained Air Raid (best priced at 11/2) has form figures of 1113 at Hamilton in his career and he should hold strong claims back at this track. The seven-year-old hasn’t run at the course since he finished 3rd off a mark of 97 back in 2020 but he now looks well handicapped off a mark of 95 following an encouraging reappearance run at Redcar in April.

Air Raid finished 3rd off a mark of 96 that day on his first run for 178 days and he should appreciate this return to Hamilton. The favourite I’m A Gambler is respected under a 6lb penalty but he now goes up in class and could find Air Raid too good.