Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

It is slightly disappointing that only five runners contest this Prince Of Wales’ Stakes but it looks a fantastic opportunity for BAY BRIDGE (best priced at EVS) to win a Group 1 on his first attempt. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt was beaten on both of his starts as a two-year-old but has won his previous five starts.

Bay Bridge won the listed Seymour Stakes on his final start last season before winning the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on his reappearance in impressive style beating Mostahdaf by five lengths with yesterday’s Wolferton Stakes winner Dubai Future back in fourth. This is a step up in class but he is top rated in the line-up with a rating of 121 and I think he will prove hard to beat with 2020 winner Lord North looking to main danger.

The David Jeffreys trained GOLD LEADER (best priced at 2/1) was an impressive winner over this course and distance last week and she should prove hard to beat under a 7lb penalty. The eight-year-old had previously disappointed for Nigel Twiston-Davies but has improved since joining her new stable this year.

Gold Leader finished 2nd at Worcester in May off a mark of 80 before winning by 19 lengths over this course and distance last week off a mark of 82. The handicapper has raised her 9lbs for that victory but she instead runs here under a 7lb penalty meaning that she is 2lbs “well in” at the weights. Lily Pinchin only claimed 3lbs off her last week and connections now use talented 7lb claimer Finn Lambert to negate most of the penalty. The Nicky Henderson trained Hana Collonges is respected following her win at Ffos Las last time but I feel Gold Leader will prove hard to beat.

The Charlie Hills trained DARK SHIFT (best priced at 10/1) has managed to get into the Royal Hunt Cup this year with his 5lb penalty and jockey James McDonald, fresh from his win on Nature Strip yesterday, has options from Stall 15. The four-year-old has good form at Ascot with three course wins and he was unlucky to be drawn on the wrong side in the Victoria Cup on his reappearance.

Dark Shift won impressively by three lengths at Nottingham 24 days ago and he should run well under a 5lb penalty.