Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The William de-Best Turner trained Calgary Tiger (best priced at 7/4) is unbeaten in his two starts over fences since returning from a 712 day break and he should hold strong claims of completing the hat-trick. The eight-year-old defied odds of 50/1 to win on his chasing debut over this course and distance by 3 ¼ lengths. He followed up in impressive style at Newbury earlier this month beating solid yardstick Stepney Causeway by 9 ½ lengths off a mark of 102.

The handicapper has raised Calgary Tiger 10lbs for that victory up to a mark of 112 which is fair and this 0-125 handicap is easier than the 0-130 handicap he was taken out at Newbury on Saturday. The better ground here will suit him well and I expect him to remain unbeaten over fences.

The top weight The Bold Thady (best priced at 10/3) has finished 2nd on his previous two starts but should appreciate this drop in class in this race. The Neil Mulholland trained six-year-old finished 2nd on his return from a 62 day break at Exeter off a mark of 100 before finishing 2nd by a short head at Taunton earlier this month off a mark of 99.

The Bold Thady was only caught late on in that 3 mile contest and this drop back in trip to 2m5½f should suit him well. He runs here off a 3lb higher mark but now drops from a Class 4 0-110 handicap into a Class 5 0-100 handicap and he should hold strong claims of getting off the mark at the tenth attempt.   

It is very rare that I select an unraced horse for this column but this looks a great opportunity for the well-bred William Haggas trained newcomer Girl Racer (best priced at 2/1) to make a winning debut. The daughter of No Nay Never is related to Grade 1 winners in South Africa and she won’t need to run to a high level on her debut to win this weak contest.

The form of the 2nd favourite Smoky Mountain (who finished 4th) has been let down by the 2nd Kodiman finishing 8th on his next start and the 5th Highlighter who finished 6th on his next start who is now rated 72. The 3rd favourite Flame Spirit ran well on his debut at Haydock last year but was a bitterly disappointing 11/10 favourite here last time where he only achieved an RPR of 54. If Girl Racer gets out well from Stall 7 then she should be able to make a winning debut under Cieren Fallon.