Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive renewal of the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle with all four contenders all in with a chance but preference goes to SCEAU ROYAL (best priced at 6/5) in his bid for a fourth win in the race. The Alan King trained ten-year-old won this race in 2016 at four before winning it for the last two seasons in impressive style. He won by 7 ½ lengths in 2020 before winning easily last season by 5 ½ lengths.

There is no doubt that this is a stronger contest this season but he comes into the race following a 9 ½ length win on his reappearance and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

John Gosden has won the November Handicap a record six times in his career and he looks to hold strong claims again this year with ISRAR (best priced at 11/4). The three-year-old has been a model of consistency this season with form figures of 31331 including an impressive course and distance victory last time under similar conditions.

Israr won here on heavy ground last time off a mark of 99 easing clear to record a 3 ¾ length victory under Jim Crowley. The handicapper has raised the colt 7lbs up to a mark of 106 which is fair and he looks sure to prove hard to beat under the same conditions.

This looks a competitive nursery handicap with many horses looking sure to improve for a switch to hadnicaps and the one who takes my eye is the Charlie Fellowes trained VICTORY HOUSE (best priced at 10/1). The son of Dubawi was a disappointing 5/2 favourite on his debut at Newcastle before once again disappointing connections at Ffos Las on his next start. Connections fitted him with a first time visor last time at Kempton where he put in a much improved performance to finish 4th at 125/1.

The handicapper has given him an opening mark of 66 but more crucially he has been gelded since his previous run. The visor has been replaced by first time cheekpieces and I expect him to run well with up to four places available. 

Charlie Appleby and William Buick won with Mischief Magic and had Silver Knott finish a close 2nd at the Breeders’ Cup yesterday and they look to hold strong claims in the Mile with MODERN GAMES (best priced at 2/1). The three-year-old won the Juvenile Turf at the meeting last year before running well on all six of his starts this season. He won on his reappearance at Longchamp in the French 2000 Guineas finding 1m2f too far in the French Derby. He finished a close 2nd behind Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes before winning in impressive style at Woodbine in a Grade 1 in Canada by 5 ¼ lengths.

Modern Games ran well to finish 2nd in the QEII Stakes at Ascot on ground softer than ideal last time and this test should suit him perfectly. He is better drawn than his main market rival Kinross and I expect him to prove hard to beat under William Buick.