Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a weak 47-65 handicap and I feel that PRETTY BOY FLOYD (best priced at 16/1) is overpriced based on his good run at Ayr 14 days ago. The Sarah Dawson trained eight-year-old has been slightly inconsistent this season but has managed to finish 2nd twice in the previous 3 months. He finished a short head 2nd at the Curragh in May off a mark of 63 on soft ground before finishing 2nd by ¾ length at Ayr two weeks ago off a mark of 60.

The handicapper has raised Pretty Boy Floyd 1lb up to a mark of 61 for that effort which is fair and he should outrun his odds if on a going day.

Fortamour is respected in his bid to win this race for a second time but the best recent form has been shown by TWELFTH KNIGHT (best priced at 2/1) who has won twice and placed twice already this season. The Ruth Carr trained four-year-old won on his reappearance at Redcar off a mark of 78 before following up over this course and distance in May off a mark of 82 beating Fortamour by a length.

Twelfth Knight has since finished 2nd by a head off a mark of 85 and 3rd by ¾ length off a mark of 87 both over this course and distance and he should hold strong claims off a mark of 87 in this race.

Vauban was an impressive winner of the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot but could prove vulnerable back down in trip to 1m4f at Group 3 level. Preference instead at the prices goes to VAILENT KING (best priced at 11/2) who has progressed with every one of his five career starts to date. He won easily at Navan over 1m2f by 5 ½ lengths in May before finishing a head 2nd to Desert Hero at Royal Ascot in the King George V Stakes off a mark of 92. That rival has since boosted that form by winning a Group 3 on his next start and Valiant King bids to do the same here.

Valiant King receives a weight-for-age allowance from Vauban in this race and despite having a few pounds to found on ratings, this progressive colt should hit the frame.