Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks an open Class 4 handicap hurdle but preference goes to the only course and distance winner in the line-up FAITHFULFLYER (best priced at 4/1). The Sandy Thomson trained six-year-old ran consistently well in handicap hurdles last season with form figures off 131322 including a victory over this course and distance in January off a mark of 92. 

Faithfulflyer was only beaten ½ length when last seen at Musselburgh in March when 2nd off a mark of 101 and he is deserving of a 4lb rise from the handicapper. He has had a wind operation over the summer and hopefully that means that he can make a winning reappearance in this race. 

Topweight TOMMY'S OSCAR (best priced at 2/1) has to concede race fitness to his main market rival Cedar Hill in this race but he is expected to make a winning reappearance despite having to carry 12st. The Ann Hamilton trained eight-year-old won on his chase/seasonal debut last year off a mark of 155 before later winning the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster in January. 

Tommy’s Oscar was a beaten favourite on his final start last season at Carlisle on heavy ground but this less testing surface should mean he proves hard to beat off the same mark of 152.