Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a weak 0-55 handicap and a chance is taken on STOLEN ENCOUNTER (best priced at 11/2) on his handicap debut. The Archie Watson trained three-year-old has shown very little in his three career starts to date with form figures of 008 when sent off 10/1, 40/1 and 100/1. 

Stolen Encounter has been given an opening mark of 53 which could underestimate him and it is noteworthy that he is fitted with first time cheekpieces and also stepped up in trip 1½ furlongs. Luke Morris is back on board and hopefully he can improve past the more exposed duo Man Made Of Smoke and Zakram. 

The Cookstown Cafu is respected following his recent victory at Redcar but preference instead goes to the Michael Dods trained VACCINE (best priced at 7/2) who was only beaten a length over this course and distance just over a week ago. The four-year-old has been running consistently well in 2023 with form figures of 2452 including when only beaten 3 ¾ lengths off a mark of 78 on in Class 4 company at Southwell on his penultimate start.

Vaccine ran well to finish 2nd last time by a length over this course and distance off a mark of 76 and he gets to run here off the same mark despite the handicapper raising him 3lbs for that effort. That means he runs here 3lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

Ertebat is interesting on his handicap debut in first time blinkers but preference goes to the Kevin Ryan trained QUINTUS ARRIUS (best priced at 5/2) who makes his handicap debut following a hard fought novice win on his reappearance. The three-year-old ran well on turf at Aur on his debut when finishing 2nd before slightly disappointing at Redcar on his next start. 

Quintus Arrius won in first time cheekpieces last time at Newcastle showing a good attitude at the finish and the form of that victory has been boosted. The third Engelbert won on his next start and is now rated 77 and the fourth Great State  also won on his next start and is now rated 86. Quintus Arrius makes his handicap debut off an opening mark of 75 which looks lenient and I expect him to follow up in this race.