Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Henry De Bromhead has won this race three times in recent years with Monalee (2017), Chris’s Dream (2018) and Shantreusse (2022) and he looks hold strong claims this year with HIDDENVALLEY LAKE (best priced at 6/4). The six-year-old would have won his PTP but was carried out by a loose horse and since then he has been impressive on both of his starts over hurdles. He won by 2 ¼ lengths over 2m3f in a maiden hurdle at Naas before winning the Grade 3 Stayers Novice Hurdle at Cork by an impressive eight lengths on his first start over 3 miles.

Hiddenvalley Lake kept on strongly that day and looks a real stayer in the making and I expect him to win this before a tilt at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Philip Kirby trained LONE STAR (best priced at 6/5) was an easy winner for us on Tuesday and she should hold strong claims of following up in this race from 5lbs “well in” at the weights. The six-year-old won in impressive style here over 2m4f when victorious by 4 ¾ lengths under Joe Williamson off a mark of 85 before finishing 2nd at Market Rasen on her next start off a mark of 92 when only beaten a length.

Lone Star won easily on Tuesday off a mark of 92 under Joe Williamson in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle and therefore escapes a 5lb rise from the handicapper in this race. The step up in trip by 3f is a slight question mark but she should prove hard to beat if staying the extra distance.

The Thomas Mullins trained LOVELY REACTION (best priced at 9/4) was a winner for us last time on her handicap debut and she should prove hard to beat off a 9lb higher mark. The five-year-old had shown very little in her first three career starts to date where she had finished beaten 52 lengths, 42 lengths and 55 lengths when sent off 40/1, 100/1 and 50/1.

Lovely Reaction made a winning handicap debut last time off a mark of 87 when staying on well to win by a length over 2 miles. Although a 9lb rise for that victory seems harsh, this step up in trip to 2m3f will no doubt suit and she should run well with C Mullins, who won on his previous ride a week ago, claiming 7lbs off her back.