Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a typically competitive EBF final but preference goes to the Paul Nicholls trained Henri The Second (best priced at 8/1) on his handicap debut. The six-year-old beat the 132 rated Authorised Speed in a listed bumper at Ascot last season before winning the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle over this course and distance in December. He finished 4th under a penalty at Cheltenham in January before finishing 2nd at Warwick last time trying to give the talented Pikar 4lbs.

Henri The Second now makes his handicap debut off a mark of 132 and I expect him to run well with up to six places on offer off top weight.

Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding combined to have an impressive 4 ¾ length winner at Kempton last night and their representative Notre Belle Bete (best priced at 4/1) should hold strong claims of a repeat victory in this race. The five-year-old won this Lincoln Trial off a mark of 87 last season before winning the next month at Kempton off a mark of 92.

Notre Belle Bete has been unlucky to finish 2nd on his previous two starts at Kempton and Lingfield including when only beaten ¾ length by the reopposing Outbreak last time. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that effort which is fair and the only course and distance winner in the field should hold strong claims once again with up to five places on offer.

The ground is going to be testing at Sandown today and that should suit the Harry Fry trained Metier (best priced at 9/1). The seven-year-old has form figures of 1111 on heavy ground since joining this yard including an impressive 12 length success in the 2021 Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle. He won the November Handicap on the flat on heavy ground at Doncaster before disappointing in two races that were unlikely to suit since (behind Constitution Hill in a Grade 1 and on the AW).

Metier now returns to hurdling on heavy ground off a mark of 143 and he looks certain to relish these conditions with six places available.