Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive Mares’ Handicap Chase but preference goes to the Anthony Honeyball trained CREDO (best priced at 11/4) who runs here from 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The seven-year-old ran well on her reappearance at Hereford where she was only beaten a head at the finish by Do You Think with the pair pulling 14 lengths clear of the third.

The handicapper has raised Credo 3lbs for that effort up to a mark of 110 but she gets to run here off her previous mark and that should mean she proves hard to beat from 3lbs “well in” at the weights. She has won on both good to soft ground and heavy ground so there is no weather concerns and she should be able to go one better than on her reappearance. 

The time to catch the Nicky Henderson trained BOTHWELL BRIDGE (best priced at 13/2) is fresh so he looks worth backing on his reappearance following 236 days off the track. The seven-year-old won by six lengths on his hurdling debut in 2020 following a 258 day break before following up in a novice hurdle under a penalty by 39 lengths following 93 days off the track. He then won on his chasing debut by 3 ¼ lengths following a 238 day break before falling on Boxing day in a competitive novices’ handicap chase. 

Bothwell Bridge disappointed on his next two starts despite being sent off favourite but he has now dropped down to a mark of 134 which should prove well within reach. Nicky Henderson has started the season in good form and is currently operating at a 30% strike rate in the previous two weeks and I expect Bothwell Bridge to prove hard to beat given his record fresh.

 The Anthony Honeyball trained REGAL ENCORE (best priced at 16/1) is a four-time course and distance winner and despite now being 14 years old, he should outrun his odds in this race. His victories have come off marks of 144, 150, 142 and 145 so he looks incredibly well handicapped off a mark of 132 and Applesandpierres proved yesterday that 14 year olds can still spring a surprise! 
Regal Encore travelled well last time on his reappearance in the London Gold Cup but weakened late on to finish 11th but at this age he will probably need a run for fitness. He drops in class into a Class 3 0-140 handicap for the first time and I expect him to outrun his odds with up to four places on offer.