Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive nursery handicap but Palmar Bay (best priced at 7/4) looks to have been let off lightly off an opening mark of 88. The Ralph Beckett trained colt finished 2nd on his debut at Windsor on soft ground before beating the now 108 rated Group 2 winner Jasour on his next start. 

Palmar Bay beat Solar Aclaim by ¾ length last time at Salisbury on soft ground and that rival has since boosted the form with a 4 ¼ length victory on his next start. He looks well handicapped off an opening mark of 88, is proven on the soft ground and should prove hard to beat in this race.   
 

The good ground will suit last year’s winner Lord Accord (best priced at 9/2) who is only 1lb higher than his victory in 2022. The Neil Mulholland trained eight-year-old won this race in impressive style by 4 ½ lengths last season off a mark of 131 before finishing 2nd behind Frodon in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton off a mark of 136. 

Lord Accord has had a prep run over hurdles at Warwick earlier this month which will put him spot on for this. He has the benefit of race-fitness over many of his rivals in this race and should run well again under regular rider Richie McLernon.

Ground conditions will be testing at Doncaster but it was heavy ground last year when Deputy (best priced at 9/1) won this race and he should hold strong each way claims with four places available. The Michael Dods trained five-year-old won this race last season by a nose off a mark of 73 and is only 1lb higher this year. 

Deputy was only beaten a length off a mark of 75 when 2nd over this course and distance in May before slightly disappointing on his next two starts at Ayr. This return to Doncaster where he has form figures of 212 will suit and he can hopefully win this race for a second year in a row.