Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Validated (best priced at 6/1) isn’t the typical Sir Mark Prescott improver on handicap debut but he looks to hold strong claims nonetheless. The son of Iffraaj was sent off 3/1 favourite for his debut at Kempton where he finished a neck 3rd before finishing 2nd at Yarmouth on his next start. The colt ran slightly below form last time when only 5th on soft ground but he now makes his handicap debut off an opening mark of 74.

All three runs for Validated have come over 7f so far so it is interesting that he is dropped to 6f in this race with a first time visor fitted. Given he went off 3/1, 11/4 and 2/1 for novice races gives the impression that connections felt he was expected to win in novice company so this mark of 74 should be within reach and he should run well with four places on offer.

Olivia Tubb has developed a good relationship with Mrembo (best priced at 8/1) and the pair should hold strong claims of adding another victory to their tally. The Jonny Portman trained four-year-old has been in consistently good form since June with form figures of 1336114 with all three of those victories coming over either 1m3f or 1m3½f. She won at Bath by two lengths in August off a mark of 57 before following up over this course and distance in September off the same mark by 1 ½ lengths. 

Mrembo finished 4th last time at Epsom when unable to get the lead under a double penalty so she should hold strong claims off in theory a 4lb lower mark here. Whether she can make the running again here is a question mark but she looks a solid each way selection with four places widely available.  

This looks a competitive 0-75 handicap but preference goes to Havana Pursuit (best priced at 9/2) who showed a good attitude to win over this course and distance last time. The Tim Easterby trained three-year-old won a novice race at Ripon in August before struggling slightly in his first two handicap starts at Redcar and Ripon. The gelding won over this course and distance 18 days ago off a mark of 67 staying on well over 6f to win by a neck. 

The handicapper has raised Havana Pursuit 3lbs which is fair and he should give another good account with four places on offer.