Wednesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Ado McGuiness trained Harry’s Bar (NAP) (best priced at 11/4) won over 6f here on his reappearance and he should hold strong claims of a repeat victory in this race. The eight-year-old has won at this course seven times including in this race last season off a mark of 105. He won on his reappearance beating the 105 rated San Andreas giving him 2lbs before slightly disappointing on his previous two starts on turf off a lower rating.

This return to Dundalk will suit Harry’s Bar and he is expected to win this race for a second year in a row under Cian MacRedmond who rode him to success on his reappearance.

This looks a weak 0-55 handicap and it will be disappointing if Sun Festival (best priced at EVENS) doesn’t follow up his recent success under a 5lb penalty. The Joe Parr trained five-year-old justified short odds to win at Brighton last month before finishing a close 3rd on his penultimate start off a mark of 51 at Newcastle.

Sun Festival won easily last time by 5 ½ lengths at Brighton off a mark of 51 and the handicapper has raised him 7lbs for that success. He runs here instead under a 5lb penalty meaning that he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and he should prove hard to beat with Luke Morris taking over in the saddle.

There are a few interesting handicap debutants in this race but I am willing to take a chance on Rising Force (best priced at 11/2) who is fitted with a first time visor in this race. The James Tate trained two-year-old was sent off 11/8 favourite for his debut at Southwell earlier this season but could only finish 5th and connections seem to have had an eye on handicaps on his two subsequent starts.

Rising Force has finished well beaten by 9 lengths and 10 lengths at both Doncaster and Carlisle but I am expecting a much improved effort now switched the handicaps in a first time visor.