Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Stuart Colthed trained GRAYSTOWN (best priced at 6/4) is a four-time course winner at Hexham including in this race for the last two years. The ten-year-old won this race off a mark of 83 in 2020 before winning it off a mark of 92 last season. He comes into the race this year off a mark of 87 so he is clearly well handicapped and he also bounced back to form on his reappearance with a 2nd placed finish here over 2m4f.

Graystown was only beaten ½ length over 2m4f last time when he was only caught late on so this drop back in trip to the minimum distance will suit. Many of his rivals are struggling for recent form so I expect him to hold strong claims of completing a hat-trick of wins in this race.

The Fergal O’Brien trained PAINT THE DREAM (best priced at 7/4) won this race last season on his reappearance and he bids to do the same this year. He won this race off a mark of 147 by 9 ½ lengths before winning the Greatwood Gold Cup later in the season at Newbury by 15 lengths.

Paint The Dream ran well on his final start last season when 4th in the Grade 1 Marsh Chase at Aintree behind the likes of Fakir D’Oudairies, Hitman and Sceau Royal. He drops back down to handicap company here off a mark of 157 and I expect him to prove hard to beat off top weight.

Willie Mullins won this race in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and had Burning Victory finish 2nd in the race last year so I expect GIBRALTAR (best priced at 11/1) to run well in it this year. The five-year-old didn’t win a race when trained by Michael Bell but has improved since joining Closutton. He won a maiden hurdle on his stable debut before running well back on the flat since.

Gibraltar won a Leopardstown handicap on his penultimate start off a mark of 69 before following up by 2 ½ lengths off a mark of 77 last time. He runs here off a 7lb higher mark but connections have booked Saffie Osbourne to take off a handy 3lbs. He is at the bottom of the weights off and I expect him to run well with up to seven places available.