Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Good Work narrowly missed out at Chepstow last time but a 3lb higher mark will make things more difficult and therefore preference instead goes to the Nigel Hawke trained BRING THE ACTION (best priced at 4/1). The seven-year-old won this race last season off a mark of 100 and he runs here off only 5lbs higher this season. He made an encouraging reappearance at Doncaster when only beaten 1 ½ lengths in 2nd off a mark of 102 before disappointing at Uttoxeter on heavy ground.

This return to a better surface will suit Bring The Action and I expect him to hold strong claims of following up in this race for a second year in a row.

This looks a competitive 0-90 handicap but preference goes to the Archie Watson trained BRAVE EMPEROR (best priced at 7/2) who bids for a four-timer in this race. The three-year-old finished 6th on his debut at Beverley before winning a maiden at Chepstow on his next start. He followed up on his AW debut at Chelmsford in a novice race under a penalty before having a 167 day break.

Brave Emperor was gelded in that time and he returned with an impressive 2 ¾ length victory at Wolverhampton on his handicap debut. The handicapper has raised him 7lbs for that win up to a mark of 91 which is fair and I expect him to prove hard to beat off top weight.

Both Walking On Clouds and ALAFDHAL (best priced at 2/1) run here under 5lb penalties but preference goes to the latter who is technically 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The Phil McEntee trained five-year-old has won five out of his previous six starts including a hat-trick of wins at Chelmsford in December.

Alafdhal put in a career best performance last time to win by 2 ¼ lengths at Wolverhampton and the handicapper has raised him 8lbs for that victory. He instead runs here under a 5lb penalty which makes him 3lbs “well in” and he should prove hard to beat under regular rider Kevin Stott from Stall 9.