Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks an open 0-125 handicap chase but preference goes to the top weight UNCLE ALASTAIR (best priced at 13/2) who runs here in first time cheekpieces. The Nicky Richards trained eleven-year-old has form figures of 232252 over fences so he is clearly consistent and he should appreciate the drop back in trip from last time. 

Uncle Alastair finished 2nd over 3m½f at Carlisle in November despite travelling best of all throughout the race. This drop in trip should suit him and he looks worth taking a chance on in first time cheekpieces with Brian Hughes retaining the ride. 

The Martin Todhunter trained FIA FUINIDH (best priced at 2/1) won easily on his handicap debut over this course and distance last time and he should prove hard to beat off only a 10lb higher mark. The six-year-old ran admirably in his three starts in novice/maiden hurdles before landing a gamble last time off an opening mark of 102. 

Fia Fuinidh was a well backed 5/2 favourite that day and he made all to win easily by 12 lengths under Sean Quinlan. The handicapper has raised him 10lbs for that victory which is fair and I expect him to prove hard to beat and make it 2/2 in handicaps.

The Richard Hannon trained OUTRACE (best priced at 9/4) has shown improvement in all of his three starts in handicaps so far but he crucially now contests his easiest race. The three-year-old finished 2nd in a Southwell 0-65 handicap off a mark of 61 before finishing 2nd at Wolverhampton 0-75 handicap off a mark of 62.

Outrace was only beaten a head when 2nd in a Wolverhampton 0-70 handicap off a mark of 62 when only headed late on over a trip of 1m1½f and he should be well suited by this drop back in trip to a mile. The handicapper has raised Outrace 2lbs for that run but he runs here from 2lbs “well in” at the weights instead and I expect him to prove hard to beat in this 0-60 handicap under regular rider Tyrese Cameron.