Following a 5/2 winner yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three tips from today's action.
15:05 Thurles
This looks a competitive 80-95 handicap hurdle but preference goes to PORT RASHID (best priced at 6/1) who won over this course an distance 18 days ago. The Timothy Townend trained twelve-year-old outran odds of 25/1 to finish 3rd on his reappearance at Limerick in January following 491 days off the track.
Port Rashid won by 1/2 length over this course and distance in an 18 runner handicap off a mark of 88 and the handicapper has raised him 5lbs for that victory. The reopposing Dylan Lombardy is 2lbs better off with him but at the prices I think it is worth backing the veteran to uphold that form.
15:35 Plumpton
Both Midnightreflectoin and GERICO VILLE (best priced at 11/4) come into this race off the back of a victory last time but preference goes to the latter who should appreciate the step up in trip. The Chris Gordon trained seven-year-old won by a head at Lingfield last time off a mark of 110 under Jamie Moore where he stayed on well at the finish.
The handicapper has raised Gerico Ville 3lbs for that victory up to a mark of 113 but he now steps up in trip 2 furlongs to 3m1f for that first time. He is also fitted with first time cheekpieces with should make the job of Jamie Moore easier and I expect him to follow up his victory last time.
17:05 Taunton
This looks a weak 0-100 handicap hurdle and I am willing to take a chance on PRIVATORY (best priced at 7/2) who drops in class in this race. The Gary Moore trained five-year-old won on his stable debut last year at Sandown before disappointing in handicaps since. He was beaten 77 lengths, 35 lengths and 27 lengths in his first three handicaps before falling at Kempton when well beaten at the time.
Privatory finished a distant fourth last time at Lingfield but as a result of these defeats he has now dropped down 19lbs in the handicap and is now rated only 101. Connections now fit him with first time blinkers in this race and crucially he now drops into a Class 5 0-100 handicap for the first time. Niall Houlihan takes off a further 3lbs and he can hopefully bounce back to form here.
