Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Michael Bell trained Loudspeaker (best priced at 7/1) has put in improved performances in handicaps this season and he should appreciate this further step up in trip to 1m6f. The three-year-old gelding was only beaten 1 ¾ lengths on his reappearance over 1m2f at Beverley off a mark of 72 before finishing only ¾ length behind Udaberri at Salisbury off the same mark on his next start.

Loudspeaker stayed on well over the 1m4f trip that day shaping like this step up to 1m6f would suit and connections have also decided to fit him with first time blinkers in this race. That should improve his attitude at the finish and can hopefully mean he gets off the mark in this race.

The Dan Skelton trained Shentri (best priced at 7/4) was an impressive winner at Uttoxeter last week when upped to 3 miles for the first time and he should prove hard to beat in this race if he repeats that form back over hurdles. The five-year-old won easily by 4 ½ lengths last time hard held off a mark of 120 and he now reverts back to hurdles off a mark of 118.

That should make him extremely hard to beat if he is able to transfer that run over the smaller obstacles for an in-form stable. The Skelton yard are currently operating at a 47% strike rate in the last two weeks and I feel that Shentri should be able to further enhance that good form.

The last three-year-old to win “the dash” was Double Quick in 1995 under Jason Weaver so they haven’t got a great record in the race but I really like the chances of Live In The Dream (best priced 8/1) despite that trend. The Adam West trained gelding made all in a 5f handicap at Sandown by nearly four lengths on his penultimate start before following up at Chester last time by 2 ¼ lengths.

This fast run 5f will suit Live In The Dream well and a mark of 99 could still underestimate him. Connections have booked talented 3lb claimer Sean Kirrane, who rode him to victory at Sandown, for the ride which is a positive as is his draw in Stall 17 where he could race close to the nearside rail if he wants. Bookmakers are offering up to seven places in this race so make sure to check place terms before backing Live In The Dream.

Steve Ryder's Epsom Derby Ante-Post Selection

Adayar provided Frankel with his first Epsom Derby winner last season and I think he could sire the winner again this year in the shape of WESTOVER (best priced 28/1). 

The Ralph Beckett trained colt ran well on his three starts as a two-year-old but it was his victory in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown which make him appeal at the prices for this race. He raced keenly on his reappearance that day but showed a fantastic attitude to stay on well at the finish over 1m2f to win by a short head. 

That performance alone wouldn’t be good enough to be involved in the finish of a Derby, however, he still looked green and inexperienced under pressure giving the impression that he will step forward from that effort. Westover seemed to handle Epsom well on his recent piece of work at the track and I am hoping that he can provide Rob Hornby with a victory on his first ride in the race.