Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Kevin Ryan trained PROFESSOR PESCA (best priced at 11/2) hasn’t built on an encouraging debut effort but he looks worth taking a chance on in first time headgear on his handicap debut. The son of Kodiac was only beaten two lengths when finishing 4th on his debut at Beverley over 5f before finishing last of four at York and 6th of nine at Redcar. The handicapper has given him an opening mark of 72 based on those three efforts but there are reasons to believe he will show progress in handicaps.

Professor Pesca has been gelded since his last run 37 day ago, he sneaks into this 0-70 handicap off top weight and he is also fitted with first time cheekpieces for this race. Connections have also booked talented 5lb claimer Oisin McSweeney to take off weight and I think he is worth backing on his handicap debut.

The Linda Perratt trained SIXCOR (best priced at 7/1) has been extremely consistent since being fitted with cheekpieces and boasts form figures of 121324 in headgear. The four-year-old won over 5f here off a mark of 46 before finishing a close 2nd at Musselburgh off a 4lb higher mark. The gelding won again at Ayr over 5f in June off a mark of 54 before placing at both Musselburgh and Carlisle off marks of 58.

Sixcor has finished 4th on both of his starts over 6f here but has only been beaten 1 ¼ lengths on both occasions off a mark of 58. The handicapper has once again left him unchanged and if he gets a bit more luck in running then he should be involved in the finish once again with up to four places available.

The Archie Watson trained NOBLE ANTHEM (best priced at 9/4) was a winning selection for us on his handicap debut last time and I feel a 3lb rise should see him follow up in this race. The three-year-old got off the mark at Thirsk on his second start by 2 ¼ lengths but it was his 4th placed effort at Newcastle under a penalty that was the piece of form that makes him look well handicapped.

Noble Anthem finished behind the 109 rated Royal Ascot winner Eldar Eldarov, the 88 rated Post Impressionist and the 94 rated Honiton so he still looks well handicapped off a mark of 88 following a 3lbs rise. Connections have decided to fit the son of Starspangledbanner with first time cheekpieces in this race as he just idled in the finish last time despite travelling best of all throughout the contest. He goes up in grade to a Class 3 0-90 handicap but I will be disappointed if he doesn’t remain unbeaten in handicaps.