Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Both Juan Les Pins and Able Kane (best priced at 11/4) arrive into this race with 5lbs penalties following impressive victories last time but preference goes to the latter who is 5lbs “well in” at the weights. The Rod Millman trained five-year-old finished a neck 2nd on his penultimate start at Windsor when fitted with a first time tongue tie before winning impressively by six lengths last time at Ffos Las.

Both of those starts came off a mark of 87 and Able Kane now runs here under a 5lb penalty. The handicapper has raised the gelding 10lbs for his victory last time so he is 5lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

This looks a competitive 0-85 handicap but preference goes to the top weight Miramichi (best priced at 5/1). The Tom Dascombe trained four-year-old has good form at Newbury with form figures of 132 in his career including a victory over 1m2f in July last year. He has been in consistent form so far this season including when 3rd over this course and distance on his penultimate start off a mark of 83.

Miramichi finished only a head behind Maytree Respite over 1m2f here last time staying on well at the finish shaping like this step back up to 1m4f will suit him well. The handicapper has raised him 2lbs for that run but he gets to run here off his previous mark of 83 meaning that he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights. Both Divine Jewel and Vaynor arrive here following victories last time but Miramichi has proven course form and I think he looks the solid option.

The Harry Eustace trained Chasing Aphrodite (best priced at 13/2) won on his debut at Leicester and I am little surprised he is available at such a big price in this race despite his penalty. The son of Profitable was sent off a relatively unfancied 22/1 shot on debut but the form of that victory is working out well. The second Knight Of Honour has won since and is now rated 91, the third Positive Impact has won since and is now rated 91 having finished 2nd in a Newmarket handicap on Saturday and even the fourth Tathbeet has won his next start.

Chasing Aphrodite faces a couple of well bred Charlie Appleby trained geldings but it is hard to see him out of the places and he rates a confident each way selection.