Following two places yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action.
13:50 Bangor
The Jedd O’Keeffe trained MIAH GRACE (best priced at 7/4) has taken well to chasing this season and she should prove hard to beat following her win last time at Newcastle. The eight-year-old returned from a 572 day break to outrun odds of 18/1 to finish 2nd on her chasing debut at Bangor over 2m1½f.
Miah Grace went one better last time at Newcastle when she upset the odds on favourite Since Day One by 1 ¾ lengths. The form of that run has been boosted since with the runner-up winning at Newcastle on his next start before finishing 3rd in a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Doncaster last time. Miah Grace returns back to mares company in this race and I expect her to prove hard to beat under Henry Brooke.
16:00 Bangor
Horacio Apple’s is respected following his victory at Ayr last time but preference instead goes to the Jennie Candlish trained BASFORD (best priced at 3/1) who runs here from 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The six-year-old finished well beaten in three novice hurdles before finishing 2nd on his handicap debut at Sedgefield off a mark of 99.
Basford ran well in first time cheekpieces last time at Sedgefield off a mark of 102 when only beaten a length and the handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that effort. Instead he runs here off his previous mark of 102 which makes him 3lbs “well in” and I expect him to prove hard to beat under Sean Quinlan.
19:45 Chelmsford
This looks a competitive 0-75 handicap but preference goes to the Mick Appleby trained BOND BOY (best priced at 7/2) who looks well handicapped under a 5lb penalty. The four-year-old has form figures of 41511 in 2023 including two victories at Wolverhampton off marks of 61 and 64. His victory on his penultimate start came in a first time visor before following up over this course and distance a week ago under a 5lb penalty.
The handicapper has raised Bond Boy up to a mark of 74 but he instead runs here under a 5lbs penalty meaning that he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect him to prove hard to beat with Fred Larson once again claiming 3lbs.
