Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-65 handicap but preference goes to AFLOAT (best priced at 5/2) who was an impressive winner over this course and distance last time. The Rae Guest trained three-year-old had previously not got within 4 ¾ lengths of winning on her six career starts but showed huge improvement over this course and distance last time to win by 4 ¾ lengths.

That victory came off a mark of 60 and the handicapper has raised Afloat 8lbs for that easy win. She instead runs here under a 6lb penalty so she is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect her to prove hard to beat if repeating that performance.

The least exposed runner in this field is GORDON GREY (best priced at 5/1) who has only had four career starts and was beaten less than a length on his handicap debut last time. The Ian Williams trained three-year-old finished well beaten on his first three career starts but showed huge improvement when well backed for his handicap debut at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago.

That run came off a mark of 71 when sent off a well backed 9/4 favourite and he runs here off only a 3lb higher mark. The in-form Saffie Osbourne takes over on board and he should run well in this race from Stall 3.

Both Stone Circle and Betweenthesticks are respected back over this course and distance but preference goes to MANILA SCOUSE (best priced at 6/4) who runs off the same mark as his victory at Haydock on Sunday. The Tim Easterby trained four-year-old ran well to finish only a neck behind Aberama Gold at York on his penultimate start and that form was boosted by the winner following up in the Stewards’ Cup on his next start.

Manila Scouse won by 1 ½ lengths at Haydock in an apprentice handicap last time when dropped to 5f on heavy ground off a mark of 81 and he runs here off the same mark in this race. This soft ground suits him well and I expect him to prove hard to beat under David Allen.