Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Micky Hammond trained Shighness (best priced at 13/8) is 2/2 over this course and distance and she should hold strong claims once again in this race. The six-year-old won by eight lengths on her reappearance off a mark of 101 before finishing a close 4th at Haydock on her next start off a mark of 107.

Shighness won here in February by four lengths under Brian Hughes and the handicapper has only raised her 5lbs for that victory. The second Halifax has boosted the form with a victory on his next start and is now rated 5lbs higher so Shighness should prove hard to beat off a mark of 112.

This looks a competitive 0-125 handicap chase but preference goes to Volcano (best priced at 5/2) who has won the last two renewals of this race. The Sheila Lewis trained nine-year-old won this race by 3 ½ lengths off a mark of 125 in 2021 before following up that victory in 2022 off a mark of 110 when victorious by eight lengths.

Volcano hasn’t won a race apart from those two victories so he is clearly targeted at this race each season and he should prove hard to beat off a mark of 115.

Journey With Me looks a worthy favourite in this Grade 3 Novice Chase but preference goes to Flanking Maneuver (best priced at 15/4) who was a huge eyecatcher last time on his first run for 760 days. Trainer Noel Meade pitched him straight into Grade 2 company that day on his chasing debut where he finished only 1 ¼ lengths behind Churchstonewarrior and Mahler Mission who are both well fancied for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

Flanking Maneuver travelled best of all throughout the race but just got tired after the last over 3 miles on his first run for over two years. This drop back in trip to 2m4f should suit him well and I expect him to prove hard to beat if repeating that form again.