Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Sam England trained FENLAND TIGER (best priced at 10/3) made it 2/2 in handicaps last time at Hexham and he is expected to prove hard to beat off only a 4lb higher mark. The six-year-old had previously finished well beaten in three novice/maiden hurdles by 28 lengths, 48 lengths and 27 lengths but made a winning handicap debut at Carlisle when well supported into 5/1.

Fenland Tiger defied a 7lb rise to win by a neck at Hexham last time but that winning distance doesn’t do him justice as he always looked like he was just doing enough. The handicapper has raised him 4lbs for that victory up to a mark of 100 but he looks progressive and I expect him to prove hard to beat off that mark.

FATIQUE DE L'ISLE (best priced at 2/1) won last time at Ffos Las when upped in trip to 3 miles for the first time and he is expected to prove hard to beat off only 4lbs higher. That was the first career success for the seven-year-old who had previously run well to finish 2nd twice last year when trained by Ed de Giles.

Michael Scudamore has a brilliant record at Newcastle with 12 winners from 41 runners (29% strike rate) in the last five years showing a £7.70 profit to a £1 level stake and Faitque De L’Isle is expected to continue that good course record. He won by a head last time at Ffos Las under Charlie Deutsch on his first start over 3 miles and he is expected to prove hard to beat off a 4lb higher mark over the same trip.

LUCKY LOVER BOY (best priced at 15/8) escapes a penalty for his course and distance success a week ago and he should prove hard to beat off the same mark here. The Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero trained seven-year-old has been in consistent form the last few months with form figures of 121121 including victories at Sedgefield twice, Uttoxeter and over this course and distance last time.

Lucky Lover Boy won a conditional jockeys’ handicap last time under Fergus Gillard by 2 ¼ lengths and he should prove hard to beat with Henry Brooke taking back over off the same mark. The handicapper has raised the gelding 7lbs for that victory so he is clearly well handicapped and I expect him to prove hard to beat as a result.