Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 6f handicap but I am willing to take a chance on the four-time course and distance winner Equiano Springs (best priced at 33/1) at a big price. The Tom Tate trained nine-year-old has form figures of 11118 at the Rowley Mile and also a success on the July course over the same distance. 

Equiano Springs could only finish 8th over this course and distance on his reappearance but he was uncharacteristically sweaty beforehand and raced far too keenly in the early stages of the race. That effort can be excused and if he comes back to the form of his course and distance win in September off a mark of 81 then running off a mark of 85 (from 1lb out of the handicap) should be within reach with up to seven places available.

The Jack Channon trained Majestic (best priced at 5/1) defied odds of 25/1 to win over the Rowley Mile in the Cambridgeshire Handicap last season and he should hold strong claims off a 7lb higher mark in this race. He ran well on his reappearance in the Lincoln Handicap to finish 4th on ground softer than ideal and was only beaten 3 ½ lengths.

Majestic runs here off the same mark in this race and should be involved in the finish with up to six places available.

Despite Ryan Moore choosing to ride Auguste Rodin in the 2000 Guineas, I prefer the chances of his stablemate Little Big Bear (best priced at 4/1) in the first classic of the season. The Aidan O’Brien trained son of No Nay Never has won his previous four starts including a really impressive 7 length victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes on his final start last season.

I have very little stamina doubts for him as he was staying on well at the finish over a stiff 6 ½ furlongs at the Curragh in the Anglesey Stakes on his penultimate start. Wayne Lordan is a good booking as he won the 1000 Guineas on Winter in 2017 and hopefully he will have too much pace for the favourite who will appreciate a longer trip later in the season.

This looks a weak 0-70 handicap and I am willing to take a chance on the outsider of the field Cherryhawk (best priced at 25/1) on her handicap debut. The Dominic Ffrench Davis stable has been in good form recently with three winners from his last nine runners and this filly looks the type to improve in handicaps. She has run with credit in three novice races despite being sent off 125/1, 125/1 and 100/1 including when only beaten 3 ¼ lengths at Lingfield over a mile last time.

Cherryhawk has been staying on well over a mile so this step up to 1m2f on her handicap debut should suit and an opening mark of 62 will hopefully underestimate her.