Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Lucinda Russell trained IT'S A MIDNIGHT (best priced at 12/1) makes his handicap debut following a wind operation and hopefully she can show an improved effort in this race. The six-year-old made an encouraging debut in a Carlisle bumper when 5th before finishing 3rd at Ayr in February in another bumper. She ran ok on her hurdling debut at Hexham but has disappointed on her two starts this season when beaten 44 lengths and 39 lengths at both Hexham and Newcastle.

It's A Midnight has had a wind operation since her last run in November and is also fitted with a first time tongue tie in this race. An opening mark of 92 should underestimate her and she is worth taking a chance on under regular rider Stephen Mulqueen.

Form figures of 000 wouldn’t inspire a huge amount of confidence in the chances of ABERFOYLE (best priced at 12/1) but he now makes his handicap debut off a lowly mark of 55 and he will hopefully show an improved effort in this race. The Charlie Hills trained three-year-old has been beaten 15½ lengths, 17½ lengths and 8½ lengths in his three career starts to date with all of those runs coming over 6f.

Aberfoyle now makes his handicap off an opening mark of 55 but crucially has been gelded since his last run in November and is now fitted with cheekpieces. He also steps up in trip to 7f and I am hoping he runs well for Rab Havlin.  

This looks a competitive 0-80 handicap but preference goes to JUSTCALLMEPETE (best priced at 4/1) who bids to follow up his recent course and distance success. The James Evans trained four-year-old won in first time blinkers in December at Lingfield off a mark of 70 before winning last time over this course and distance off a 1lb higher mark. 

The handicapper has raised Justcallmepete 6lbs for that victory but that is deserved given the manner of his 1¼ length success. He is unbeaten in blinkers and hopefully he can make it 3/3 for a yard who is currently operating at a 33% strike rate.