Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Nicky Henderson trained MISTER COFFEY (best priced at EVENS) forces all three of his rivals ‘out of the handicap’ in this novices’ limited handicap chase and that should make him hard to beat. The seven-year-old showed good form over fences last season with form figures of 32220 with his only disappointing effort coming when sent off favourite for the Topham over the Grand National fences. 

Mister Coffey chased home L’Homme Presse in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown last season before finishing a close 2nd in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 137. He runs here off 3lbs higher but forces his rivals to run at least 4lbs out of the handicap and that should mean he can get off the mark over fences on his sixth attempt.

The Height Of Fame warrants respect on her attempt at a five-timer but she may struggle off a 6lb higher mark and preference instead goes to ARMCHAIR FARMER (best priced at 7/2) who got off the mark over hurdles last time. The Fergal O’Brien trained six-year-old has run well on his three starts over hurdles so far but put in a career best last time when he won impressively by 14 lengths. 

Armchair Farmer appreciated the step up in trip to 3 miles last time and he remains unexposed at this distance. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of 106 here and I expect him to prove hard to beat in this race. 

If this race was a handicap then SOLDIER OF DESTINY (best priced at 3/1) would have to give 17lbs to the favourite Ivar so I feel the price discrepancy between the two is too big. The Jamie Snowden trained six-year-old won twice last season over fences including an impressive three length victory off a mark of 131 and he is interesting now switched back to novice hurdling. 

Soldier Of Destiny fell last time at Wetherby over fences so this will be used as a confidence booster but I feel he should be favourite over his 114 rated rival Ivar off level weights and should prove hard to beat.