Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

FAR FROM A RUBY (best priced at 3/1) has form figures of 1322 when rated 58 or lower in her career so she looks well handicapped in this race off a mark of 57. The Katie Scott trained mare won off a mark of 64 at the course in September and she bounced back to form last time when a nose 2nd at Ayr off a mark of 57.

The handicapper has raised Far From A Ruby 2lbs for that effort but she gets to run here off her previous mark of 57 meaning that she is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and as a result I feel she will prove hard to beat.

Steve Ryder Antepost:

The King George Qatar Stakes looks like a good race to be backing a horse in antepost as the two at the top of the market, Royal Aclaim and Flotus, look set to miss this race in favour of The Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Last year’s winner Suesa would be interesting again this season but I am unsure whether defending her crown is her target so preference instead goes to the confirmed runner RAASEL (best priced at 7/2). The five-year-old has been a revelation since joining The Horse Watchers and Mick Appleby and has won eight of the his previous ten starts.

Raasel started off his winning sequence in handicaps off a mark of 73 but has progressed rapidly through the ranks and comes into the race following a Group 3 victory at Sandwon last time in the Coral Charge. The gelding is 2/2 at Goodwood in his career albeit in handicaps off mark of 73 and 94 but it is always good to know horses can handle this slightly unique track. With a rating of 108 he is entitled to contest this Group 2 and with the race looking as if it will cut up, I believe now is the time to back Raasel for next week.

The market for this 7f maiden is currently favouring the chances of the Dermot Weld trained Keep IN Touch but I feel she may struggle to land a blow from Stall 15. Preference instead goes to ROMAN HANDS (best priced at 11/2) who has run with credit on both of his starts for the Jessie Harrington stable. The son of Holy Roman Emperor stepped forward from a 5th placed effort on debut to finish a close 2nd at Bellewstown when only beaten 2 ½ lengths by the odds on favourite Lakota Seven.

Jockey Shane Foley stated afterwards that the ‘colt ran green throughout’ so the application of first time cheekpieces should be able to focus the mind of Roman Hands and he can hopefully get off the mark at the third attempt.

This novice race features a couple of well bred John & Thady Gosden trained newcomers as well as the 95 rated Mashaaer but the horse I feel is currently overpriced is the Ed Walker trained MIDNIGHT MOLL (best priced at 5/1). The daughter of Dark Angel won on her debut over 7f at this track showing a good attitude to beat Next Chapter by ½ length with the 2/7 favourite Sea Tsarina back in 3rd.

The second that day Next Chapter has won on her next start since so the form looks strong and despite having to concede a 7lb penalty for that success, I do feel she should be shorter in the market with this step up to a mile looking sure to suit.