Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Abacadabras is top rated in this field and also receives weight from his nearest rival DARVER STAR (best priced at 2/1) but preference goes to the latter who arrives into the race in recent winning form. The Gavin Cromwell trained ten-year-old is an eight-time winner over hurdles in his career including on his previous two starts when an impressive winner at both Kilbeggan (3 lengths) and Galway (8 ½ lengths). 

The favourite Abacadabras was disappointing on both of his starts last season when beaten 12 ½ lengths and 38 lengths, and was also disappointing on his reappearance when only 3rd at Tipperary beaten 14 ½ lengths. He faces question marks in this race despite receiving 10lbs from Darver Star and I much prefer the chances of the in-form Gavin Cromwell trained runner. 

The Barry Connell trained BALKITO (best priced at 9/4) is well handicapped over hurdles in comparison to his mark over fences and I expect him to prove hard to beat in this race. The seven-year-old has improved since the application of cheekpieces and being stepped up in trip to 3 miles. He won at Thurles by seven lengths off a mark of 106 before defying a 10lb rise to win at Limerick by 2 ¼ lengths. 

Balkito makes his reappearance here following 212 days off the track but interestingly switches back to hurdles here off a mark of 106 which is 19lbs lower than his mark over fences. Barry Connell’s only other runner in the last two weeks has an impressive 17 length winner on his reappearance which is a positive and I expect Balkito to prove hard to beat.

The Ralph Beckett trained STAR OF ORION (best priced at 4/1) has shown improved form since the application of blinkers and he can hopefully gain a much deserved victory in this race. The four-year-old won off this mark of 94 last season before finishing 2nd by a short head at Ascot on his next start. The handicapper awarded him a mark of 102 following that run but he struggled off a mark that day until fitted with blinkers on his penultimate start when 2nd at Newmarket off a mark of 93. 

Star Of Orion was only beaten ½ length by Fresh last time at Ascot off a mark of 94 and gets to run here off the same mark so I expect him to run well once again in this race.