Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Lucinda Russell trained DOMANDLOUIS (best priced at 11/4) won a novice hurdle here when last seen in May and the form that run has been boosted since. The five-year-old beat Charlie Uberalles by 2 ¼ lengths that day and that rival has won twice since and is now rated 127 over fences. The third that day, the 66/1 shot Curley Finger, won on his next start at Hexham and is now rated 111 and even the final finisher Spanish Present won on his next start and is now rated 116.

Domandlouis makes his handicap debut in this race off a mark of 105 so he looks extremely well handicapped based on the form of his last run and he is also expected to improve for going over fences. His fitness is taken on trust following a 171 day break but I expect him to prove hard to beat. 

BIG RIVER (best priced at 11/1) has a fantastic record at Kelso and he bids for a record breaking ninth win at the course today. The Lucinda Russell trained twelve-year-old is in the veteran stage of his career but he proved last season that he is still as good as ever when finishing 2nd in this race before winning twice at the course off marks of 135 and 140. 

Big River runs here off a mark of 143 which should prove within reach and you can expect his connections to have him fit enough to do himself justice on his reappearance at this course. Derek Fox is once again on board and he should run well with up to four places on offer. 

Despite Ryan Moore riding the favourite Aesop’s Fables in preference to HISPANIC (best priced at 3/1), I do prefer the chances of his stablemate who comes into the race following an impressive victory last time. The son of No Nay Never ran with credit under Wayne Lordan on his first two starts before improving with the application of blinkers last time at the Curragh. 

Hispanic won in impressive style by eight lengths that day in first time headgear staying on strongly over 5f on yielding/soft ground giving the impression that this step back up in trip to 6f on soft/heavy ground shouldn’t be a problem. The favourite Aesop’s Fables has to bounce back from two slightly disappointing races in Group 1 contests and therefore preference goes to his progressive stablemate Hispanic.