Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Archie Watson trained SOUTHERN VOYAGE (best priced at 9/1) was in good form last season and I am willing to forgive him a poor reappearance run on his only start so far this year. The four-year-old completed a hat-trick of wins last season including a handicap victory off a mark of 83 before disappointing on his final start of last season when finishing down the field in the Old Rowley Cup.

Southern Voyage was gelded over the winter before finishing last of eight on his reappearance at York despite being a well supported 5/2 favourite. That effort was too bad to be true (sweated beforehand and raced keenly in the early stages) and I am willing to forgive him that run and take a chance at a much bigger price in this race with four places on offer.

The form of the Royal Hunt Cup is working out very well and as a result I am willing to back ISLA KAI NAP (best priced at 5/1) once again at Ascot. The Nigel Tinkler trained four-year-old won over this course and distance (round course) last season off a mark of 90 before finishing 6th on only his second start at the track in the Royal Hunt Cup. The winner Dark Shift finished 3rd on his next start and is now rated 9lbs higher, the second Intellogent finished 3rd on his next start, runs in a Group 3 today and is now rated 4lbs higher, the third Tempus won on his next start and is now rated 7lbs higher and the fifth Sinjaari won on his next start and is now rated 2lbs higher.

Isla Kai runs here off a 3lb lower mark which shows he is well handicapped despite only finishing 4th at York last time. This return to the round course at Ascot will suit and he gets Frankie Dettori on board which is a positive in comparison to some of the other jockeys riding in the Shergar Cup this year.

Many punters will have had their fingers burnt backing STAR OF ORION (best priced at 9/2) but I am willing to take a chance now with many factors looking sure to suit. The Ralph Beckett trained four-year-old won over this course and distance last season off a mark of 94 and has now dropped below that mark for the first time since. The gelding has struggled on his previous couple of starts in the Bunbury Cup and Moet & Chandon International Stakes but he now drops down into a 0-100 handicap which he will find easier.

Connections have decided to fit him with first time blinkers which look worth a go as he has been slowly away and not travelling with his previous enthusiasm in his races. He has dropped 7lbs in his four runs this season down to a mark of 93 and I think he is worth taking a chance on in this race.