Steve Ryder is back with four selections for today's action, with runners at Bath and Hexham.
13:10 Bath
This looks a competitive 0-60 handicap to start the day but preference goes to Fair And Square (best priced at 11/4) who runs from 8lbs “well in” at the weights. The Ronald Harris trained four-year-old has shown good form at Bath so far this season with form figures of 2662961 including placed efforts off marks of 52 and 50 and a victory last time off a mark of 47.
Fair And Square won by a head over this course and distance last time off a mark of 47 and the handicapper has raised him a staggering 13lbs for that victory. He instead runs here under a 5lb penalty which is a realistic rise so he should run well from 8lbs “well in” at the weights.
14:50 Bath
The return to faster ground and the fitting of a first time tongue tie will hopefully spark a revival in Beau Roc (best priced at 9/1) who won over this course and distance off a 3lb lower mark in July. The George Boughey trained three-year-old won by a length on good ground that day off a mark of 63 under Billy Loughnane before disappointing on soft ground at Doncaster and good to soft ground at Bath last time.
Billy Loughnane (1/1 on Beau Roc) is back on board in this race which is a huge positive and she should run well back over this course and distance.
16:34 Bath
This looks a weak 0-52 handicap and a chance is taken on Trussst In Me (best priced at 7/1) on her handicap debut. The three-year-old has finished well beaten on her three career starts to date over a mile and 1m2f but now steps up in trip on her handicap debut.
The handicapper has given Trussst In Me a low opening mark of 52 and I expect to see a much improved performance over 1m4f and hopefully that will be good enough to beat much more exposed rivals.
19:18 Hexham
It is hard to know what to expect from Ahead Of The Field following his disastrous stable debut so preference instead goes to Hapy La Vie (best priced at 11/4). The James Ewart trained six-year-old finished 2nd here on his penultimate start over 2m4f staying on well at the finish before appreciating the step up in trip to 3 miles where he won easily by four lengths under a deputising Danny McMenamin.
That victory came off a mark of 74 and he has been given a 6lb rise up to a mark of 80 which is fair and I expect him to prove hard to beat following an 81 day break.
