Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Tom Lacey trained HIGHSTAKESPLAYER (best priced at 13/8) has a 7lb penalty to contend with but he looks to hold strong claims of remaining unbeaten over fences. The six-year-old had form figures of 3112 in handicap hurdles last season before getting off the mark over fences on his reappearance at Hereford last month.

Highstakesplayer won easily by 6 ½ lengths that day off a mark of 114 and he looks sure to be rated higher than 121 when he gets re-assessed. He jumped impeccably on his first start over fences that he could prove a progressive chaser this season and I expect him to follow up in this race.

The favourite Emancipator looks vulnerable in this race having been beaten over hurdles off a lower mark on his previous two starts so preference goes to the David Kelly trained HARD TARGET (best priced at 15/2). The five-year-old has shown marked improvement on his previous three starts since being fitted with a tongue tie with form figures of 336. He was only beaten 1 ¾ lengths and 2 lengths respectively at Tramore and Clonmel before finishing 6th over 2 miles here last time.

Hard Target looked outpaced over 2 miles that day that this step back up in trip to 2m4f looks sure to suit and he should run well in a first time hood off the same mark. Bookmakers are offering up to six places on race and I feel he holds strong claims of upsetting the favourite.