Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-145 handicap chase but preference goes to SMARTY WILD (best priced at 11/2) who has shown good form at this course in the past. The Philip Hobbs trained nine-year-old has form figures of 132F3 over fences at Kempton with his victory coming off a mark of 130 in January 2021. He has since placed off marks of 136, 131 and 133 including last time over this course and distance. 

Smarty Wild has twice placed off this mark of 133 this season so he should run well once again over this course and distance under Tom O’Brien. Five bookmakers are still offering three places on this race despite there only being seven runners so be sure to use the oddschecker app to find best place terms.

The George Bewley trained HOGANVILLE (best priced at 11/4) has won all three of his starts for this yard and he should hold strong claims once again here. The six-year-old was 0-9 for Paul Nolan but outran odds of 18/1 to win easily on his stable debut at Hexham in September off a mark of 96. He followed up by a head at Ayr off a mark of 102 before winning by ¾ length last time at Kelso off a mark of 106.

7lb claimer Conor Rabbitt has ridden the gelding really well on all three of his victories and despite a 6lb rise from the handicapper, he should hold strong claims of remaining unbeaten for this yard.

The Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero trained IROKO (best priced at 15/8) won on his handicap debut last time and he should be able to follow up off a 7lb higher mark. The five-year-old was pitched in at the deep end on his UK debut in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow where he finished 4th before finishing 4th again in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton on his next start.

Iroko won on his handicap debut on his reappearance off a mark of 121 where he appreciated the step up in trip to 2m3½f over this course and distance. He looked well ahead of his mark that day so a 7lb rise is fair and I expect him to follow up in this race.