Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This is a competitive 0-105 fillies’ handicap and preference goes to the 2021 winner GALE FORCE MAY (best priced at 6/1) who is fitted with first time blinkers for this race. The Michael Dods trained seven-year-old has a good record at this course with form figures of 23121540 with her latest three runs at the track all coming in listed races rather than handicaps.

Gale Force Maya hasn’t won so far this season but finished 3rd by a length in a Group 3 in July and she now drops back into a handicap for the first time since winning the Sky Bet Dash in July 2022 off a mark of 104. She has now dropped down to a mark of 100 so she looks well handicapped and should run well in first time blinkers with up to four places available.

The Noel Kelly trained CAVE COURT (best priced at 13/8) has returned from a mid-year break in good form and he can hopefully complete a four-timer. The six-year-old won at both Perth and Down Royal over hurdles off marks of 102 before winning easily by four lengths at Listowel over fences on Friday off a mark of 95.

The handicapper has raised Cave Court 13lbs for that victory up to a mark of 108 but he instead runs here under a 7lb penalty meaning that he is 6lbs “well in” at the weights. Jockey Oran McGill, who won on him at both Perth and Down Royal, is back on board claiming a handy 7lbs which negates the penalty and he should prove hard to beat.

Both Dashing Panther and Rogue Tornado coming into this race in good form but I am willing to take a chance on BALTIC (best priced at 6/1) on his handicap debut. The Harry & Roger Charlton trained son of Frankel has shown very little in his career so far in three maiden/novice races but has been given an lowly opening mark of 58.

Baltic now steps up in trip to 1m4f for the first time on his handicap debut and is also fitted with first time cheekpieces. All of these factors should hopefully see an improved performance and he looks worth taking a chance on in this race.