Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Mark Gillard trained JOHN BETJEMAN (best priced at 5/1) has a good record and Ffos Las including when a 10 length winner of this race last season. The seven-year-old has form figures of 13122 at the course including when demoted to 2nd in May off a mark of 114.

John Betjeman finished 2nd at Wincanton on Boxing Day off a mark of 109 before finishing 3rd at Ludlow after a 58 day break off the same mark. He remains on a mark of 109 for this race which means he is well handicapped on his return to Ffos Las and hopefully he can repeat his victory in this race off the same mark.

All four runners in this novices’ limited handicap chase are in with a chance but preference goes to the David Pipe trained ONLY THE BOLD (best priced at 2/1). The eight-year-old is 2/2 for the yard since joining from Evan Williams and being fitted with a tongue tie and cheekpieces. He won by nine lengths at Bangor on his reappearance on his chasing debut before defying a 10lb rise to win at Hereford last time to win by five lengths.

The handicapper has raised Only The Bold a further 10lbs for that victory which is fair and I expect him to prove hard to beat with Fergus Gillard retaining the ride.

This looks a competitive 0-125 handicap chase but preference goes to the Lucinda Russell trained YOUR OWN STORY (best priced at 3/1). The seven-year-old has been in consistent form since joining this yard with form figures of 315242321 and he looks sure to give his running in this race. He finished 2nd behind subsequent Cheltenham Festival runner-up Stumptown at Sandown on his penultimate start before winning by five lengths last time at Wetherby.

The handicapper has raised Your Own Story 7lbs for that five length success which is fair and this progressive gelding shouldn’t be inconvenienced by this slight drop in trip.