Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Jonjo O’Neill trained BLUE SHARK (best priced at 15/8) has won his previous four starts and he should hold strong claims of completing a five-timer in this race. The six-year-old finished well beaten in his starts over the minimum trip in maiden/novice hurdles but has now won all of his four starts since going up in trip in handicaps. He started his winning sequence off a mark fo 76 at Ffos Las before following up by six lengths at Newcastle off a mark of 80.

Blue Shark won by a neck at Fontwell off a mark of 88 before winning at Wetherby last time by ½ length off a mark of 94. The handicapper has raised him 6lbs for that victory which may look harsh for a ½ length success but this progressive gelding can hopefully complete a five-timer.

All five runners look to have a chance in this 0-115 handicap chase but preference goes to WILLIAM COADY (best priced at 2/1) who has been running consistently well on his latest starts. The Pam Sly trained six-year-old has form figures of 21213 over fences in his career including 8 length and 9 ½ length victories over this course and distance.

William Cody was a beaten favourite last time at Doncaster but this return to Huntingdon should suit and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

Dalby Forest beat BERT KIBBLER (best priced at 5/1) at Chelmsford last time but the selection is expected to reverse that form back at Southwell. The David & Nicola Barron trained five-year-old has form figures of 311 at this track including two victories in January last year. Those victories came by 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 62 and 2 ½ lengths off a mark of 67 before struggling after a 367 day break at Newcastle.

Bert Kibbler bounced back to form last time at Chelmsford when 2nd by a neck at Chelmsford a week ago and despite facing Dalby Forest off the same weights here, he is expected to reverse form back at his favoured track from 2lbs “well in” at the weights.