Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Thecompanysergeant looks to hold strong claims following his close 2nd on his hurdling debut but I feel he may struggle to beat the Gavin Cromwell trained FAMEAFTERGLORY (best priced at 2/1). The seven-year-old has been running consistently well this year over hurdles with a 3rd placed finish at Down Royal in January and a 2nd placed finish at Punchestown in February.

Connections now fit Fameaftertheglory with a first time visor which will hopefully improve his jumping which let him down last time. He is rated 121 over hurdles which sets the standard and I expect him to prove hard to beat under Keith Donghue.

This looks a match race between Out Of Office and DANCILA (best priced at 7/5) with preference going to the less exposed runner. The Fergal O’Brien trained six-year-old was a 90 rated flat horse for Jim Bolger last season before making a winning stable debut in February when victorious by 4 ¾ lengths on his hurdling debut.

Dancila won easily that day at Musselburgh in the Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and he should hold strong claims of making it 2/2 over hurdles.

Despite an absence of 370 days, I am willing to take a chance on JPR ONE (best priced at 11/4) on his return. The Joe Tizzard trained six-year-old was an impressive 6 ½ length winner at this track last year which led to him being sent off only 13/2 for the Betfair Hurdle on his next start off a mark of 130. His next start came in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when trailing in 5th behind the likes of Constitution Hill and Jonbon but he now drops in class back to handicap company.

The handicapper has dropped JPR One 2lbs down to a mark of 127 and that should mean that he is well handicapped enough to win off top weight.