Following a 3/1 winner yesterday, Steve Ryder is back with three tips for today's action, including a NAP at Bangor.
14:15 Curragh
This looks a competitive 5f handicap but preference goes to last year’s winner LAUGH A MINUTE (best priced at 7/1). The Adrian McGuinness trained eight-year-old won this race last season off a mark of 95 and the gelding looks well handicapped off a mark of 88 this year. He finished 4th over 6f in September off a mark of 89 before finishing 3rd over 5f later that month off a mark of 92.
Laugh A Minute ran better than a finishing position of 7th appears when only beaten four lengths at Dundalk a month ago in the same race he ran in last year when he only finished 6th. That should put him spot on for this race and I expect him to run well under regular rider Ronan Whelan.
14:40 Newbury
Ruby Island is no doubt going to prove popular in this race given her recent form but preference instead goes to FORTUNA LIGNA (best priced at 12/1) who receives a stone off the favourite. The Anthony Honeyball trained six-year-old is yet to score in her six race career so far but ran well to finish 3rd in a listed mares bumper under Harry Cobden despite being sent off 40/1.
Fortuna Ligna ran well to finish a short head 2nd at Plumpton last time on her handicap debut off a mark of 103 and she should hold strong claims off a 4lb higher mark in this race. Connections fit her with first time blinkers for this race and she should run well under Harry Cobden with up to six places available.
15:08 Bangor
Brian Hughes has ridden the Donald McCain trained Minella Trump in 19 of his 20 races under rules so it seems significant that he has chosen to ride his stablemate JUNGLE JACK (NAP) (best priced at 3/1) despite the former aiming to complete a hat-trick of wins. The selection has been running consistently well and is yet to finish out of the first two in his career.
Jungle Jack comes into this race following a 2nd place finish behind Stainsby Girl at Newcastle a month ago and that form has been boosted by the winner following up on her next start and she is now rated 11lbs higher. Jungle Jack runs here off a 2lbs lower mark so he looks extremely well handicapped and I expect him to prove hard to beat.
