Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The William Haggas trained QUEEN AMINATU (best priced at 9/2) disappointed when sent off favourite at the Curragh last time but she should hold strong claims back on the AW in this race. The four-year-old had won her previous three starts including at Newcastle over 7f on her reappearance. 

With a rating of 107 Queen Aminatu has 6lbs to find with her stablemate Sacred and 3lbs to find with Sandrine but they are both making their reappearances this race and that will hopefully swing things in the favour of the selection.

This looks a competitive renewal of the Victoria Cup but preference goes to FRESH (best priced at 9/1) who showed good form over this course and distance last season. The James Fanshawe trained six-year-old has form figures of 2123491100 at the course including two victories last season off marks of 98 and 102.

Fresh was eyecatching on his reappearance at Kempton on the AW over 6f where he stayed kept on late on under tender handling in a handicap. This step back up to 7f and the switch back to 7f will suit him well and he should run well off a mark of 102 if handling the soft ground with seven places available. 

Group 1 winner Creative Force will no doubt prove hard to beat in this conditions race but at the prices I prefer the chances of COMMANCHE FALLS (best priced at 9/2) who finished ahead of the favourite on their reappearance runs. The Michael Dods trained six-year-old has won twice over this course and distance earlier in his career before winning the Stewards’ Cup last season off a mark of 103. 

Commanche Falls followed up that with close 2nd places at York and Ayr before finishing 3rd in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot. He was only beaten a head by Garrus in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket last time when Creative Force was back in 3rd. Conceding 4lbs to Creative Force will make this more difficult but at the prices I am willing to take a chance under regular rider Connor Beasley.