Tuesday Racing Tips From Steve Ryder

The David Jeffreys trained CARDBOARD GANSTER (best priced at 3/1) comes into this race in good form over fences and he should be able to win this contest. The seven-year-old has form figures of 121 over fences during his second spell over fences including a victory over 3 miles at Perth in June. The grey gelding then finished 2nd at Stratford over an inadequate 2m3f before winning last time at the same course over 2m6½f.

The handicapper has raised Cardboard Gangster 5lbs for that victory which is fair and it is interesting that he is also declared tomorrow at Sedgefield so connections may be looking to win under a penalty.  

The front two in the market Bannister and Pillar Of Steel look closely matched on recent form but preference instead goes to the Jamie Snowden trained PISGAH PIKE (best priced at 7/2) who showed improvement last time in first time cheekpieces. The seven-year-old had previously disappointed on his reappearance at Newton Abbott following a wind operation but bounced back to defy odds of 22/1 to win at Market Rasen a month ago.

Connections fitted Pisgah Pike with first time cheekpieces for that contest and it made the job of Gavin Sheehan, who retains the ride, a lot easier showing a good attitude at the finish to win by a neck. The handicapper has only raised him 4lbs and he should hold strong claims of following up.

The Seamus Mullins trained VIN ROUGE (best priced at 11/2) looks extremely interesting on his handicap debut over hurdles in comparison to his rating on the flat. The four-year-old had three very low key hurdle runs earlier this year when sent off 100/1, 100/1 and 125/1 meaning that the handicapper awarded him a lowly mark of 69.

Since then, Vin Rouge has won twice on the flat over 2 miles and improving from a mark of 62 up to a mark as high as 72. He is now rated 70 on the flat but that makes him extremely well handicapped over hurdles off a mark of 69 and he should prove hard to beat if running up to his flat form.