Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a match race between recent winners Miss Lamb and Horn Cape (best priced at 7/4) with preference going to the latter who runs here 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The Ben Haslam trained six-year-old had slightly lost his way for Nicky Henderson but was well supported to win at Sedgefield a week ago when winning under Jack Hogan claiming 5lbs.

Horn Cape justified 7/4 favouritism that day winning easily by 9 lengths and the handicapper has raised him 10lbs for that victory. He runs here instead under a 7lb penalty meaning that he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

This looks a competitive 0-125 handicap hurdle but preference goes to the course winner Iberio (best priced at 11/8) who has been running consistently well this season. The Philip Hobbs and Johnson White trained six-year-old ended last season with two course victories here in cheekpieces off marks of 94 and 99. He returned this season with two 2nd placed finishes at Worcester and Chepstow before slightly disappointing over 3 miles here in December.

Iberio returned from a short break to finish 2nd at Exeter last time off a mark of 109 and he should prove hard to beat off 1lb lower in this race back at Taunton.

Despite drifting in the market overnight, I am willing to take a chance on the Barry Connell trained Tony’s Pet (best priced at 16/1) on his handicap debut. The six-year-old was sent off odds on for his debut at Limerick where he finished 7th before being beaten 61 lengths and 26 lengths on his next two starts when sent off 33/1 and 50/1.

Tony’s Pet is bred to appreciate a longer trip than the 2 miles he has been contesting so this step up in trip to 2m3f on his handicap debut seems significant. He has been given an opening mark of 102 which means he can run here off top weight in this race and he looks overpriced with the brilliant Michael O’Sullivan taking off 5lbs and six places on offer.