Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Despite having to concede 7lbs to the rest of the field in this novice hurdle, I feel the Charlie Longsdon trained ALIEN STORM (best priced at 3/1) holds strong claims of making it 2/2 over hurdles. The four-year-old stepped forward from two runs in bumpers to finish a close 2nd on his reappearance at Plumpton when only beaten 1 ½ lengths. 

Alien Storm got off the mark last time on his hurdling debut when running out a comfortable 4 ¼ length winner despite still running green at the finish. He has to concede weight to the talented Attacca but that rival is making his reappearance following 221 days off the track and that mean that Alien Storm proves hard to beat. 

This looks a competitive Novices’ Handicap Chase but preference goes to the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained BLACKCAUSEWAY (best priced at 3/1) on his first start over fences. The six-year-old won a PTP by three lengths on his debut before slightly disappointing on his first three starts over hurdles. He stepped forward to finish a close 2nd by 1 ¼ lengths at Uttoxeter on his final start last season earning him an opening handicap mark of 108.

Blackcauseway now makes his debut over fences on his first start in a handicap and that should really suit this PTP winner. He steps back up in trip following a good run over 2 miles last time but this distance of 2m4f should suit him better over fences and I expect him to run well.

The Milton Harris trained SEIGNUER DES AS (best priced at 7/1) had the form of his reappearance run boosted recently and I think he looks overpriced here. The four-year-old finished 3rd behind Mofaasa (who won his next start at Cheltenham under a penalty) and Colonel Harry (who won by 7 lengths at Sandown yesterday) on his stable debut last time at Uttoxeter.

Seigneur Des As weakened late on in that 2m4f contest shaping like this drop in trip to 2 miles would suit and he looks sure to appreciate any more rainfall looking at his previous form in France.