Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Connections of Appier (best priced at 7/1) will be gutted that they miss out on the chance in the Northumberland Plate but they will hopefully gain some consolation in this race. The Sean Woods trained four-year-old has been in consistent form this season with form figures of 3131 including a victory over 1m4f here in May off a mark of 76.

Appier won easily by 1 ¾ lengths at Lingfield over 1m4f in June off a mark of 81 and he runs here under a 5lb penalty which means he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights following his 7lb rise by the handicapper. This step up in trip to 2 miles for the first time is a slight question mark but he should be involved in the finish with up to five places available.

Attention will be focussed on both Al Riffa and Alfred Munnings returning from their respective breaks of 114 days and 378 days but preference instead goes to Layfayette (best priced at 3/1) who has been in consistently good form all season. The Noel Meade trained six-year-old has placed twice over this course and distance so far this season in Group 3 and Group 2 contests before getting back to winning ways at Limerick last time over 1m4f.

Layfayette won a listed race last time but now steps back up in class to contest this Group 3 over a course and distance that he is already a Group 3 and Group 2 winner. He has to concede weight to two smart three-year-olds but I expect him to capitalise on his race fitness advantage.

Many of the horses in this 0-60 handicap are struggling for recent form so a chance is taken on the inconsistent Star Of Epsom (best priced at 7/2) who bounced back to form last time with a victory over this course and distance. The Pat Phelan trained five-year-old has won on her previous three starts over this course and distance including on her reappearance this season off a mark of 50.

Star Of Epsom disappointed back on turf at Brighton and Windsor but bounced back to form over this course and distance last time with a neck victory off a mark of 50 12 days ago. The handicapper has raised her 3lbs which is fair and she should prove hard to beat with regular rider Paddy Bradley taking off a handy 3lbs.