Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Middleham Park Racing hold a strong hand in this novice race with both Ziggy’s Condor and THE COFFEE POD (best priced at 2/1) with preference going to the latter. The Richard Hannon trained colt was only beaten a length at Nottingham on his debut a month ago before finishing 3rd by a head at Ripon in the Hornblower last time.

The Coffee Pod is in receipt of 5lbs from Ziggy’s Condor despite having a higher RPR and I expect him to prove hard to beat.

This looks like a strong renewal of the Flying Five Stakes with Nunthorpe 2-3 Highfield Princess and Bradsell reopposing again but preference goes to ART POWER (best priced at 9/2) who currently boasts an unbeaten record in Ireland. The Tim Easterby trained six-year-old coped with the drop back to 5f when winning the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over this course and distance on his penultimate start before finishing only 2 ½ lengths behind King Gold when 5th in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time.

Whether Art Power will be so effective over 5f on good ground in comparison to soft is a question mark but he looks sure to finish in the top 3 and looks a strong each way selection.

Stablemate Ylang Ylang is no doubt the one to beat in this race but I am shocked that PEARLS AND RUBIES (best priced at 66/1) is available at such a big price in this race. She won on debut at Navan before finishing a head 2nd in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on only her second start. She was only beaten 1 ¼ lengths in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes over 6 ½f here on her penultimate start before having an excuse when a beaten favourite behind the reopposing Vespertilio over this course and distance last time.

Pearls And Rubies was sent off 13/8 to win that day but hung under pressure late on and faded into 4th late on. That can be excused as she was found to be lame on her right fore post race and there is no chance she would be such a big price if she hadn’t run that day.