Following two winners yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three tips for today's racing.
12:05 Newcastle
Quercus Robur is respected under a 5lb penalty but preference goes to the Tim Easterby trained HILDENLEY (best priced at 11/2) who has shown good form at this course. The six-year-old has form figures of 32133 at the course with his victory coming in November off a mark of 55 over 1m2f. The handicapper raised him 3lbs for that two length success and he has since finished 3rd here off a mark of 58.
Hildenley stayed on well over 1m4f last time and he now drops down in class from a Class 5 0-75 handicap into a Class 6 0-60 handicap. Bookmakers are offering up to four places on this race and I expect him to be involved in the finish.
15:55 Catterick
EL MUCHACHO (best priced at 5/6) won on his handicap debut at Plumpton earlier this month and he should prove hard to beat under a 7lb penalty. The Milton Harris trained six-year-old was an impressive winner of his final PTP start before finishing 2nd on his first bumper start at Plumpton. He slightly disappointed on his first two starts over hurdles before winning easily on his handicap debut last time.
El Muchacho won easily by 7 ½ lengths off an opening mark of 104 and the handicapper has raised him 11lbs for that effort. He instead runs here under a 7lb penalty so he is technically 4lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect him to prove hard to beat with Harry Cobden retaining the ride.
20:30 Chelmsford
Both last time out winners Estrela Star and Bascinet are respected but preference goes to the David Evans trained WINKLEVI (best priced at 2/1) who won easily over this course and distance a week ago. The eight-year-old had lost his way and dropped down from a mark of 79 a year ago to a mark of 60 last time but bounced back in a first time visor to win easily by 2 ½ lengths.
That victory was under the inexperienced Jordan Williams in an apprentice handicap and he runs here today under Aidan Keeley claiming a valuable 5lbs. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that victory but he runs here off his previous mark of 60 so he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights and he should prove hard to beat if the visor works for a second time and he once again gets an easy lead.
