Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a weak 0-65 apprentice handicap and preference goes to the Tony Carroll trained MY GENGHIS (best priced at 11/8) who runs in the race from 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The four-year-old won at Wolverhampton in January off a mark of 61 and the gelding has run well on both of his starts this year on turf.

My Genghis finished 3rd at Bath off a mark of 64 before finishing 2nd by ¾ length at Windsor last time off a mark of 64. The handicapper has raised My Genghis 1lb for that run up to a mark of 65 but he instead gets to run here off a mark of 62 meaning that he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights. Molly Gunn takes off a further 3lbs and I expect her to prove hard to beat if coping with the extra furlong.

The John Butler trained DESIGNER NAP (best priced at 11/2) was an impressive winner over this course and distance last season and she should step forward from her reappearance run last time at Bath. The four-year-old won by 2 ½ lengths over this course and distance last season off a mark of 87 before finishing 5th only beaten 1 ½ lengths at Ascot on her next start in a listed race. She finished 2nd by 2 ½ lengths at Doncaster on her final start last season off a mark of 97 and she runs here off the same mark.

Designer ran well to finish 4th beaten only 2 ¾ lengths last time in a listed race where she appeared to need the run and I expect her to run well with four places on offer.

This looks a competitive renewal of the Hambleton Handicap but preference goes to last year’s winner CRUYFF TURN (best priced at 17/2) who runs in the race off a 1lb lower mark this season. The Tim Easterby trained six-year-old finished 7th in his prep run at Thirsk last season before winning this race and he has had a similar prep this year with an 8th placed finish at Thirsk prior to this run.

Cruyff Turn is a two-time course and distance winner so this return to York will no doubt suit him and I expect him to run well with up to seven places available.

True Legend will no doubt prove popular despite being 1lb wrong at the weights under a 6lb penalty but preference goes to the Ralph Beckett trained CAMPAIGN TRAIL (best priced at 5/1) on his handicap debut. The three-year-old was given eyecatching waiting rides in his three runs in novice races as a two-year-old when looking outpaced over that trip at Sandown, Lingfield and Redcar.

Campaign Trail now steps up in trip significantly to 1m4f on his handicap debut and he has been gelded over the winter ready for his first start for 198 days. He will have no doubt improved over the winter and I expect him to show a lot of improvement off an opening mark of 67.