Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-105 novices’ handicap hurdle but preference goes to the Ryan Potter trained FAZAYTE (best priced at 3/1) who arrives here in the best recent form. The eight-year-old has won twice already this season at Stratford and Market Rasen before finishing a close 2nd on Boxing Day at Market Rasen.

The handicapper has raised Fazayte 4lbs for that effort but he instead runs here off his previous mark of 99 which makes him 4lbs “well in” at the weights. Connections add a tongue tie to cheekpieces and he should prove hard to beat.

Pocket The Packet will no doubt prove popular in the market once again but preference instead goes to the Brian Ellison trained SILVERLODE (best priced at 9/4). The three-year-old put in a huge career best last time over this course and distance when running over 6f for the first time. He finished 2nd by 3 /4 length that day off a mark of 61 and the handicapper has raised him 2lbs for that effort. 

Silverlode instead gets to run here off a mark of 58 which means he is 3lbs lower than his near miss a week ago and 5lbs “well in” at the weights. Pocket The Packet looks the biggest danger but he was well beaten last month having gone up in the weights and he has to prove that he isn’t now within the handicapper’s grasp. 

The Robbie Llewellyn trained LOUP DE MAULDE (best priced at 7/4) is unpenalised for his recent success and should hold strong claims off the same mark. The five-year-old has been in good form for new connections this season since leaving Christian Williams with form figures of 3121. He won by 10 lengths at Huntingdon in November before finishing a close 2nd on his next start at Ludlow off an 8lbs higher mark.

Loup De Maulde won easily by 8 ½ lengths last time at Huntingdon on Boxing Day off a mark of 104 and the handicapper has raised him 7lbs for that victory. He instead runs here unpenalised for that success in a conditional jockeys’ race and Toby Wynne retains the ride but gets to claim his full 5lbs this time.