Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Both Wideeyedandlegless and Hoe Joly Smoke make their debuts under rules having won PTPs on their debuts but preference instead goes to the Nicky Martin trained LEADING CHOICE (best priced at 3/1) who has shown good form in both of his starts in bumpers. The five-year-old won a Ffos Las bumper on his debut before finishing a close 5th in a listed bumper at Cheltenham on only his second start.

The form of that run has been boosted with the third Aucunrisque winning five times since and the fourth Hardy Fella winning on his next start so Leading Choice can be expected to win a few times this season over hurdles.

This looks a competitive novices’ handicap chase but preference goes to the Nicky Henderson trained FAROUK DE CHENEAU (best priced at 3/1) whose recent form is working out well. The seven-year-old has form figures of P2322 in 2022 and that includes two 2nd placed finishes on both of his starts over fences.

Farouk De Cheneau finished only 2 ¼ lengths behind Kinondo Kwetu at Southwell last month when they were both racing off a mark of 117 but that rival has since won twice since including off a 15lb higher mark on Sunday. Farouk De Cheneau has only been raised 1lb up to a mark of 118 and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

The Lucinda Russell trained METHODTOTHEMADNESS (best priced at 7/2) was an impressive winner last time following a wind operation and she should hold strong claims off a 7lb higher mark. The eight-year-old had previously been in consistent form with form figures of U316333P324 before winning by 11 lengths last time over this course and distance.

That run came after a 172 day break under Derek Fox and I expect Methodtothemadness to prove hard to beat once again over this course and distance if the wind operation works for a second time.