Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks to be between the three recent winners She’s A Novelty, Dogged and BOLLIN MARGARET (best priced at 7/2) with preference going to the latter who runs here from 3lbs “well in” at the weights. The Tim Easterby trained six-year-old has won three times already this year at Thirsk, Pontefract and Ripon and escapes a penalty in this race for her recent success.

Bollin Margaret stayed on well over 1m2f to win by ¾ length shaping like this step back up in trip to 1m3½f would suit her well. Thomas Easterby should be able to get a good early position from Stall 1 and I expect her to prove hard to beat with him claiming 5lbs. 

This looks a competitive 0-68 nursery handicap but preference goes to BE HERE NOW (best priced at 3/1) who has shown improved form in handicaps and deserves to get off the mark in this race. The Nigel Tinkler trained gelding finished well beaten on his first three starts before finishing 3rd by ¾ length at Musselburgh in July off an opening mark of 64.

Be Here Now finished 2nd by ¾ length at Ripon nine days ago off a mark of 66 resulting in a 2lb rise from the handicapper. He instead runs here off a mark of 66 again making him 2lbs “well in” at the weights and he should run well despite the winner slightly letting the form down yesterday.

The Gemma Tutty trained SHAHNAZ (best priced at 6/1) was only beaten a short head over this course and distance a week ago and she should hold strong claims off the same mark. The four-year-old won over this course and distance last season off a mark of 69 but following some below par efforts so far this season she has dropped down to a mark of 58. She bounced back to form last time when 2nd by a short head in an amateur jockey race behind the solid Retirement Beckons.

The handicapper has raised Shahnaz 2lbs for that effort but she instead runs here off her previous mark of 58 so she is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and should run well with four places available.