Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Both Super Den and Chief’s Will are respected in this 0-75 handicap but preference goes to the David O’Meara trained STARSHIBA (best priced at 11/8) who went close over this course and distance 11 days ago. The six-year-old has shown improved form since the application of a visor with form figures of 43113 including two course wins in December. 

Starshiba won over this course and distance in December off a mark of 69 before following up over a mile here on his next start off a mark of 72. He was slowly away last time back over 7f before staying on strongly to finish a never nearer 3rd off a mark of 75 last time. The form of that has been boosted by the winner Algheed following up off a 2lb higher mark and Starshiba should prove hard to beat off the same mark in this race.

The Jamie Osbourne trained FREE SOLO (best priced at 6/4) nearly completed a hat-trick of course wins four days ago and he should prove hard to beat off the same mark. The six-year-old previously had a poor strike rate but benefitted from a career low mark of 66 to win on his penultimate start by 1 ¼ lengths over 7f here. 

Free Solo defied a 6lb rise from the handicapper to win over a mile here earlier this month staying on strongly at the finish. He finished 2nd by ¾ length last time back over 7f under a 5lb penalty and he should prove hard to beat off the same mark with Saffie Osbourne once again taking the ride.  

The Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck trained MAN ON A MISSION (best priced at 13/8) has won twice in the past two weeks and he should prove hard to beat under a 5lb penalty. The four-year-old is a three-time course winner at Lingfield with his two latest runs at the track both resulting in victories. 

Man On A Mission won over 5f at Wolverhampton in December off a mark of 53 before following up off a 5lbs higher mark over this course and distance last time. The handicapper has raised him 6lbs for that victory up to a mark of 64 but he instead runs here off a mark of 61 under a 5lb penalty meaning that he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The well backed Lilkian looks the biggest danger but I expect Man On A Mission to prove hard to beat.