Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a weak 0-60 nursery handicap and I am willing to take a chance on the Amy Murphy trained MACEDONIAN KING (best priced at 20/1) on his handicap debut. The two-year-old was sent off only 9/2 on his debut over 5f here when he finished 7th before failing to beat a rival home on his next two starts. He has been gelded since his last run in May but crucially now steps up in trip to 7 ½f for his handicap debut.

Macedonian King has been given an opening mark of only 39 which means he races from 6lbs out of the handicap in this race but connections now fit him with first time blinkers in this race. With a combination of the three factors all meaning that improvement could be made on his handicap debut, he looks worth taking a chance on at a big price.

The top four in the market all come into this race in consistently good form but preference goes to RORY THE CAT (best priced at 15/8) who won over this course and distance on his penultimate start. The Lucinda Russell trained three-year-old could only finish 5th on his stable debut at Ayr but won over this course and distance off a mark of 52 on his penultimate start. The handicapper raised him 4lbs for that ½ length success but he finished a head 2nd at Ayr on his next start.

Rory The Cat runs here off the same mark of 56 which seems lenient and he can hopefully make it 2/2 for new connections over this course and distance.

Bankrupt is respected in this race following his recent victory at Bath but preference instead goes to BIRDIE BOWERS (best priced at 12/1) who won over this course and distance last season off a 3lb higher mark. The David Thompson trained six-year-old recorded his highest RPR here on his debut when only beaten a short neck in 3rd and he showed his liking for the venue when winning here in August off a mark of 51. He has placed three times since off marks of 56, 52 and 47 with the handicapper only raising him 1lb for his latest 2nd at Musselburgh earlier this month.

Bookmakers are offering up to five places on this race and Birdie Bowers looks a solid each way option in this race.