Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The David & Nicola Barron trained HOMER STOKES (best priced at 9/1) has disappointed on recent starts but despite having form figures of 97707, he is fancied to bounce back to form at Southwell. The four-year-old won over this course and distance off a mark of 74 last year before finishing a close 3rd off a mark of 77 on his only other start at the course.

Following his below par efforts on turf he has now dropped down to a mark of 67 which makes him well handicapped on his return to this course. Connections now fit him with first time cheekpieces and I expect him to run well with four places on offer.

This looks a competitive 0-55 handicap debut preference goes to the top weight REVOQUABLE (best priced at 9/4) who got off the mark last time on his all-weather debut. The Tim Easterby trained three-year-old was sent off an unfancied 40/1 shot over this course and distance last time but he won easily by 3 ½ lengths at the finish.

Revoquable won off a mark of 55 and the handicapper has raised him 8lbs for that comfortable success. He instead runs here under a 6lb penalty which means he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and he should make it 2/2 on the AW.

The William Haggas trained HOLOCENE (best priced at 3/2) was an impressive winner at this course a week ago and she should hold strong claims under a 6lb penalty. The well bred daughter of Ulysses finished 2nd on her handicap debut at Nottingham off a mark of 71 before winning easily last time off the same mark.

Holocene won easily by 3 ½ lengths last time when fitted with first time cheekpieces and she should hold strong claims under a 6lb penalty. The handicapper has raised her 9lbs up to a mark of 80 so she runs here 3lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect her to prove hard to beat despite coming out of Stall 12.