Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a strong maiden hurdle but LOT OF JOY (best priced at evens) is expected to go one better than her hurdling debut at Cork. The Willie Mullins trained four-year-old ran well in two flat premier handicaps for new connections earning her a rating of 96. She was sent off 4/11 favourite to make a winning hurdling debut at Cork in November but she found Inothewayurthinkin too strong at the finish.

The winner has since boosted that form with a victory at Gowran Park and Lot Of Joy should hold strong claims in this race. She is in receipt of 7lbs from her main market rivals and I expect her to get off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles.

The Tony Martin trained UNANSWERED (best priced at 9/4) has been an impressive winner of his previous two starts over hurdles and I expect him to prove hard to beat in this race. He won easily by 8 ½ lengths at Punchestown in May before winning off a mark of 111 last time at Cheltenham in impressive style by 6 lengths.

Unanswered faces L’yser and She’s Commanche who are both making their reappearances and hopefully his race-fitness means that he can complete a hat-trick of wins over hurdles off only a 2lb higher mark.

The next three in the market all come into this race having won last time but preference goes to the Charlie Longsdon trained HAAS BOY (best priced at 6/5) who would have won last time at Ludlow without falling at the last hurdle. The five-year-old won on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon in March before finishing a close 2nd at Sedgefield on his next start in April.

Haas Boy would have made a winning reappearance at Ludlow but he fell at the last hurdle when nine lengths clear in a first time tongue tie. The handicapper has raised him 4lbs for that run but he gets to run here off his previous mark of 115 and he should prove hard to beat with Brian Hughes taking over from an inexperienced rider.