Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Many of this field are struggling for form so Lochnaver (best priced at 15/8) is an obvious selection having finished a close 2nd a week ago at this track. The Jim Goldie trained five-year-old won twice at this course last season off mark of 46 and 50 and she finished 2nd by half a length a week ago off a mark of 51 with the pair pulling 2 ¼ lengths clear of the third.

The handicapper has raised Lochnaver 1lb for that run up to a mark of 52 but she instead runs here off a mark of 50 so she is 2lbs “well in” and I expect her to prove hard to beat.

This looks an extremely competitive 0-105 fillies’ handicap but I am willing to take a chance on Mukaddamah (best priced at 25/1) who drops into a handicap for the first time in this race. The Roger Varian trained four-year-old was only beaten 3 ½ lengths in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at the meeting last year before contesting listed and group races on her next three starts.

Mukaddamah now drops into a handicap for the first time off a mark of 99 as well as dropping back down in trip to a mile for the first time since finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind Grand Dame (well fancied for the Group 2 today) over this course and distance last season. Connections also fit her with first time cheekpieces and she should run well with up to seven places available for a yard already amongst the winners this week.

Despite the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes only having six runners this season, it looks a competitive race with preference going to Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge (best priced at 7/2). The Sir Michael Stoute trained five-year-old finished 2nd by a length in this race last season behind State Of Rest on good to firm ground but he should be better suited by the slightly easier surface today with the recent rain.

Bay Bridge won over this course and distance when beating Adayar, My Prospero and Baeed in the Champion Stakes last season before placing on his two efforts so far this season at Longchamp and the Curragh. He only has ½ length to find with Luxembourg on his run last time and he is preferred with his proven course and distance form.