Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Most of the horses contesting this Steventon Stakes are struggling for recent form but that isn’t the case for Cadillac (best priced at 13/8) who should prove hard to beat. The four-year-old won a listed race at Leopardstown on his final start for Jessie Harrington when fitted with first time blinkers before finishing 2nd in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot on his first registered start for Kevin Philippart De Foy.
Cadillac is top rated with a mark of 111 but has to concede 3lbs to his rivals which makes this tougher but that was the case at Royal Ascot so it doesn’t rate as a huge concern for me in this race. With doubts around most of his rivals, I feel Cadillac will prove hard to beat. 
 

The Harry & Roger Charlton trained Withhold (best priced at 7/1) won this race in 2019 before finishing 3rd in the contest last season and he should hold strong claims once again. The nine-year-old won off a mark of 107 before finishing 3rd in the race last year off a mark of 105 which is the same mark he now runs off this year. Finishing 6th of 7 would make you think it was a poor reappearance run but he was only beaten 3 ¾ lengths at the finish at Chester and the handicapper has generously dropped him 1lb for that run. 
Connections now fit Withhold with a first time visor to replace his usual cheekpieces and if that even improves his performance a couple of pounds then he should be involved in the finish. 
 

The Scurry handicap was won by a 50/1 shot last year and I am hoping that Laugh A Minute (best priced at 25/1) can also win the race at a big price. The seven-year-old is back down to a mark of 92 which was the same rating as when he finished a close 2nd in a valuable York handicap last season and 3lbs lower than when winning over 5f here in March. 

Laugh A Minute was ridden by a 10lb claimer when staying on in eyecatching style at Gowran Park last month over 7f before once again staying on in eyecatching fashion over 5f here last time under Ronan Whelan. The stable apprentice Cian MacRedmond has been booked for the ride and I expect him to run well with up to six places available. 

Happy Romance only beat Diligent Harry (best priced at 12/1) a neck in this contest last season and at the prices I am going to take a chance on him reversing that form. If you forgive his runs at Ascot where he has disappointed twice, his form figures read 1121322 so he is consistent for a sprinter and he showed with his head 2nd in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster that he can still show strong form. 

This is a drop in class from the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot but he was only beaten 4 ¼ lengths that day and he finished alongside the likes of Alcohol Free and Double Or Bubble who have both boosted the form of the race in the July Cup. With up to five places available, he should run well once again.