Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-120 novices’ handicap chase but preference goes to the top weight MASKED CRUSADER (best priced at 13/8) who was unlucky not to get off the mark over fences last time. The Donald McCain trained seven-year-old won a couple of novice hurdles at Carlisle last season but he has improved this season having undergone wind surgery in the summer.

Masked Crusader slightly disappointed on his chasing debut on his reappearance at Catterick but he looked sure to win last time at Musselburgh before unseating Brian Hughes at the last fence. That was off a mark of 118 and he runs here off only 1lb higher but most interestingly is that he is fitted with first time cheekpieces. Paddy The Horse is respected in his hat-trick bid but this is his chasing debut and hopefully Masked Crusader can make his experience count.

Afadil will no doubt prove hard to beat on his stable debut for Paul Nicholls but I am willing to take a chance on the Joe Tizzard trained CHAMPAGNE MESDAMES (best priced at 22/1). The six-year-old ran better than his finishing position of 7th suggested in a bumper at Chepstow before jumping poorly on both of his starts over hurdles so far.

Champagne Mesdames was clearly unfancied for both of those contests as he was sent off 125/1 on both occasions but it is interesting that he is fitted with blinkers on what should prove to be his qualifying run for handicaps. This race lacks depth outside of the top two in the market and both Mammies Boy and Atlantic Fleet will no doubt be campaigned for handicaps by their shrewd connections. That could mean that Champagne Mesdames outruns his odds and he looks to have a good chance of finishing in the top three.

Both Algheed and Valentinka arrive here following a win last time we saw them but preference instead goes to the Mick Appleby trained QUEEN OF BURGANDY (best priced at 4/1). The seven-year-old mare had previously disappointed on her first two starts this season at Lingfield and Wolverhampton but she has bounced back to form at Southwell on her two latest starts.

Queen Of Burgandy finished a close 3rd here over 7f when only beaten 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 71 before finishing a close 2nd a week ago over a mile off a mark of 70. She runs here off the same mark of 70 but should appreciate the drop back in trip to 7f. Frederick Larson once again claims 3lbs and she should prove hard to beat off a mark of 70.