Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Both Betties Bay and Al Hujaija (best priced at 7/2) are rated 84 in this novice race but preference goes to the latter who is in receipt of 4lbs. The Roger Varian trained filly bounced back from a poor debut at Haydock to finish a neck 2nd at Newbury on her second start over 6f. She ran well until the final furlong over 7f last time at Newmarket but weakened late on to finish 5th.

This drop back to 6f on fast ground should suit Al Hukaija perfectly and I am surprised that she isn’t favourite.

William Haggas (2019 and 2022) and Andrew Balding (2020 and 2021) have won the Melrose Handicap between them for the previous four seasons but The Goat (best priced at 14/1) looks overpriced for the latter. The son of Cracksman ran with credit on all four of his starts in novice/maiden company but took a huge step forward on his handicap debut at Goodwood when he defied odds of 25/1 to win by 12 lengths on soft ground.

That was his first start over 1m4f so this step up further in trip to 1m6f should suit and it will be interesting to see if the handicapper is correct with a 12lb rise in the weights. Jason Watson (1-1 on the horse) retains the ride and he looks overpriced here based on his Goodwood performance.

Last year’s winner Kinross is respected but preference instead goes to Sacred (best priced at 7/2) who is unlucky not to be unbeaten this season. The William Haggas trained five-year-old won at Lingfield in impressive style on her reappearance over 7f before finishing a neck 2nd in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot over 6f.

Sacred will relish the fast ground in this race and she can hopefully reverse form with Kinross from this race last year.

The John Quinn trained Lord Riddiford (best priced at 7/4) has a fantastic record at Goodwood and he should hold strong claims of following up his recent course and distance success off a 7lb higher mark. The eight-year-old has form figures of 15111 at the course with victories off marks of 88, 88, 87 and 84 so this mark of 91 will make things more difficult but it is worth remembering that he was a listed winner (when rated 98) two seasons ago.

Lord Riddiford was so impressive last time that he will prove hard to beat if repeating that performance and there is no reason to think he can’t back at his favourite venue.

There is no doubt that Masekela (best priced at 33/1) has question marks following four below par efforts this season but a combination of a wind operation and first-time headgear can hopefully spark him back to form. The Andrew Balding trained four-year-old was a high class horse earlier in his career with a short head 2nd behind Native Trail in the Superlative Stakes, a listed winner at Newbury before finishing 4th in the Derby behind Desert Crown and Westover last season.

Masekela has run better at York on his previous two starts than at other venues so the return to this track is a positive and he could outrun his odds with up to six places available.