Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Linda Perratt trained RETIREMENT BECKONS (best priced at 2/1) comes into this race in fantastic form and he should hold strong claims of completing a hat-trick. The seven-year-old won at Ayr over a mile on his penultimate start off a mark of 50 before following up at Hamilton on his next start off only 2lbs higher. 

The handicapper has raised Retirement Beckons 3lbs for that success but as it was an apprentice handicap he can run here off his previous mark of 52 and he therefore looks hard to beat in this race under the experienced Simon Walker. 

The Laura Mongan trained KANUHURA (best priced at 11/1) has shown her best form at Chelmsford and she looks overpriced in this race. The daughter of Kodiac defied odds of 50/1 to win on her handicap debut over this course and distance in February off a mark of 59 before struggling on her next three starts at Lingfield, Bath and Kempton. She bounced back to form last time back over this course and distance when only beaten ½ length in 3rd behind Cotai Star earlier this month.

Rab Havlin, who rode her last time, retains the ride on Kanuhura and I expect her to run well from a good draw in Stall 2.  

This looks a competitive 0-105 handicap but preference goes to RED MIRAGE (best priced at 7/2) who has shown good form on the all weather. The Andrew Balding trained four-year-old has won four out of his seven starts on the AW including victories two victories over this course and distance. The first of those came in May 2021 in a novice race and the second was earlier this season in a handicap off a mark of 89. Since that victory he has won at Chester and finished 3rd at Ffos Las before finishing a close 2nd at Chester last time off a mark of 92.

Red Mirage now switches back from turf to the AW and I expect him to prove hard to beat with Ryan Moore back on board for the first time since that course and distance win.