Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

It is no surprise to see Lethal Levi a short priced favourite for this race with him running 9lbs “well in” under a penalty but preference instead goes to Dream Composer (best priced at 8/1) who has vital experience at the course. The James Evans trained four-year-old finished a close 2nd here last year over 5f before winning over this course and distance in June off a mark of 84 under Dougie Costello. 

On his following start, Dream Composer finished a close 2nd at Pontefract off a mark of 87 before disappointing on his next start at the venue. A mark of 88 should prove within reach for this gelding and I expect him to run well back at this course with up to five places available.  

The Charlie & Mark Johnston trained Forest Falcon (best priced at 9/2) was an impressive winner of the Chesterfield Cup Handicap earlier this week and he should hold strong claims in this weaker race under a 5lb penalty. The four-year-old won the handicap on Tuesday off a mark of 95 under Frankie Dettori where he showed a good turn of foot 2f out to put the race to bed before his rider eased towards the finish to record a 1 ¾ length success.

Forest Falcon runs here over 1f shorter which shouldn’t be an issue but crucially also drops from a Class 2 handicap into a Class 3 0-95 handicap off top weight. Connections have booked the talented 5lb claimer Harry Davies to negate the 5lb penalty and I feel he will prove extremely hard to beat. 

The Tony Carroll trained Café Sydney (best priced at 10/3) has a brilliant record at Lingfield with form figures of 1111921543 at the venue and she comes into the race having won at Bath earlier this month. The six-year-old mare won over 1m4f here in January off a mark of 52 before winning off the same mark at Bath 18 days ago over 1m3½f.

Café Sydney is a three-time winner over 1m2f in her career so this drop back in trip shouldn’t inconvenience her and she should prove hard to beat off a mark of 55.