Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-60 apprentice handicap but preference goes to Van Gerwen (best priced at 9/2) who is a previous course and distance winner and bounced back to form with a nose 2nd just over a week ago. The Paul Midgley trained ten-year-old won over this course and distance in October 2021 off a mark of 69 and had dropped down to a mark of 57 when finishing a close 2nd last time at Ripon.

Van Gerwen was only beaten a nose that day under Alex Fielding and the handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that run back up to a mark of 60. He instead runs here off the same mark so he is 3lbs “well in” at the weights and he should run well with up to four places available.

Former point to point winner Ballinsker (best priced at 9/4) appreciated the step up in trip to just shy of 3 miles last time and he should hold strong claims off only a 4lb higher mark. The Evan Williams trained eight-year-old ended last season with a 2nd placed effort over 2m3½f at Chepstow off a mark of 116 before winning at Chepstow last time off a mark of 115.

The handicapper has raised Ballinsker 4lbs for that victory which is fair and he should hold strong claims of making all in this race once again under Isabel Williams. 

Sherborne was an impressive winner last time at Ffos Las but he will find this tougher off a 10lb higher mark and preference instead goes to the Evan Williams trained Loved Out (best priced at 3/1). The six-year-old has shown good form at this course previously with form figures of 22U and he ran well to finish a short head 2nd at Ffos Las on his reappearance last time following 230 days off the track.

The handicapper has raised Loved Out 2lbs for that good run on Saturday but he instead runs here off his previous mark of 93 making him 2lbs “well in” at the weights and Isabel Williams is back on board taking off a handy 3lbs. If this race doesn’t come too soon only four days later then he should prove hard to beat.