Steve Ryder is back with three tips from today's action.
15:30 Doncaster
The Richard Hannon trained MUMS TIPPLE (best priced at 9/4) finished 2nd in the Challenge Cup last time and he should hold strong claims in this race off the same mark. He has bounced back to form this season having dropped down the handicap including a win over 6f at Newcastle and 2nd placed finishes at both at Ascot over 6f and Doncaster on 6 ½f.
Mums Tipple finished only 1 ½ lengths behind Escobar in the Challenge Cup at Ascot last time over 7f where he just got outstayed at the finish. That came off a mark of 99 and he runs here off the same rating but crucially drops back down to 6f which should suit him well.
15:5 Cheltenham
The Evan Williams trained COOLE CODY (best priced at 13/2) has a fantastic record at Cheltenham with four victories here and he bids to go one better than in this race last season. The eleven-year-old finished a close 2nd in this race last season off a mark of 135 on his reappearance before falling when still in contention in the Paddy Power Gold Cup over fences on his next start. He won twice at Cheltenham last season over fences including in the Plate at the Cheltenham festival off a mark of 145 and he ended the season with a 3rd place finish off a mark of 152.
Coole Cody returns to hurdling in this race off a mark of 141 which makes him well handicapped in comparison to his 10lb higher mark over fences and I expect him to give another bold front running performance with up to five places on offer.
16:55 Newbury
This looks a competitive 0-75 apprentice handicap but preference goes to the Simon Hodgson trained TRALEE HILLS (best priced at 8/1) will have no problems with the conditions of this race. The eight-year-old finished a close 5th at Haydock behind Pentland Hills on his penultimate start before finishing only ¾ lengths behind the winner Zikany at Goodwood last time over 2 miles.
The handicapper has raised the gelding 2lbs for that run but he instead runs here off the same mark making him 2lbs “well in” at the weights. Tralee Hills is a previous course winner who has a good record at Newbury and I expect him to run well with up to five places available.
