Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Martin Keighley trained FOUND ON (best priced at 11/8) is not only rated 11lbs clear of her nearest rival in this race but she also arrives into this race having won her previous five starts. The seven-year-old got off the mark over fences in March by 21 lengths at Market Rasen before winning by 12 lengths and seven lengths at Uttoxeter on her next two starts.

Found On returned from a 132 day break to win by three lengths at Worcester before winning by six lengths at Cheltenham over 2m4f last time. She won easily off a mark of 132 that day earning her a 6lb rise from the handicapper up to a mark of 138. She steps up in class to a listed race for the first time here and I expect her to prove hard to beat despite this drop back in trip to 2m1½f.

This looks a competitive handicap hurdle and I am keen to take on the favourite Lady Adare on her reappearance off a mark of 130. Preference instead goes to the Dan Skelton trained FLASH THE STEEL (best priced at 10/1) who capitalised on a reduced mark to win last time at Fontwell and should hold strong claims off a 6lb higher mark. The ten-year-old had previously won a handicap hurdle at Newbury off a mark of 141 on his final start in 2020 before pulling up in his next three starts following over a season off the track.

Flash The Steel put a disappointing early 2022 behind him when winning at Fontwell after a 159 day break last time off a much reduced mark of 124 and he should hold strong claims off a 6lb higher mark with Harry Skelton once again on board and up to four places available.

The Nicky Richards trained HARD IRON (best priced at EVS) won on his handicap debut last time and he should hold strong claims off a 7lb higher mark. The six-year-old had previously finished well beaten in three novice/maiden hurdles when beaten 37 lengths, 57 lengths and 31 lengths at prices of 16/1, 66/1 and 22/1.

Hard Iron made a winning handicap debut over this course and distance last time off a mark of 84 when stepped up in trip for the first time from two miles up to 2m3½f. He won easily by 4 ¼ lengths under Callum Bewley that day and should prove hard off only a 7lb higher mark.