Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive three runner novices’ handicap chase but at the prices, preference goes to the Jonjo O’Neill trained IRON BRIDGE (best priced at 3/1). The six-year-old won a soft ground Irish bumper before winning a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las on soft ground beating Bill Baxter over 2m4f. He followed up under a penalty at Worcester before making a winning chasing debut on his reappearance at Carlisle over 2m4f on his handicap debut. 

The handicapper raised Iron Bridge 12lbs for that impressive 8 ½ lengths victory before he jumped poorly when running below form at Chepstow earlier this month. This step up in trip 3m1½f should suit him based on his running style and I expect him to pounce late under Jonjo O’Neill Jr.  

The Philip Hobbs trained IBERIO (best priced at 5/1) looks to have been crying out for this step up in trip to 3 miles and I expect him to prove hard to beat in this race. The five-year-old has form figures of 1122 in handicaps with both of those victories coming at this track over 2m3f. 

Iberio has finished 2nd on both of his starts this season staying on well at the finish over 2m4f off a mark of 110 and he looks sure to run well over this 3 mile trip with up to five places available. 

The Phil McEntee trained BRAVE DISPLAY (best priced at 5/2) is much better drawn in Stall 4 than his main market rivals Crocodile Power, Swiss Rowe and Desert Dream who are drawn in Stalls 8, 10 and 12 respectively. The eight-year-old comes into the race in form having won easily by 2 ¼ lengths over this course and distance last time off a mark of 46.

The handicapper has raised Brave Display 6lbs for that victory but he instead runs here under a 4lb penalty meaning that he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and I think he should prove hard to beat with Kevin Stott retaining the ride.