Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

KING OTIS (best priced at 85/40) landed a gamble on his stable debut for James Owen last time and he should prove hard to beat under a 7lb penalty if coping with the ground. The seven-year-old joined the yard from Billy Aprahamian having been 0-14 in his career but he took advantage of a career low mark of 77 to win easily by eight lengths at Plumpton.

The handicapper has raised King Otis 11lbs for that easy victory up to a mark of 88 but he instead runs here under a 7lb penalty meaning he is 4lbs “well in” at the weights. Lilly Pinchin was claiming 3lbs that day and connections have booked 10lb claimer Jamie Gambin instead in this race. That extra 7lb claim negates the 7lb penalty and he should prove hard to beat if coping with the softer ground.

The only horse coming into this race in form is the Tracy Waggott trained RAINBOW RAIN (best priced at 10/3) and the gelding should continue his recent run of form. The four-year-old has form figures of 12211 over the last few months with victories at Thirsk, Carlisle and over this course and distance last time.

Rainbow Rain won by half a length that day off a mark of 60 and the handicapper has only raised him 3lbs for that victory. He remains in a 0-65 handicap and he is expected to complete a hat-trick of wins.

Course and distance winner King Of Ithaca is respected but the in-form TOUCHWOOD (best priced at 9/4) is expected to add to his recent victory. The Ruth Carr trained five-year-old finished 2nd at Southwell in September off a mark of 67 before once again finishing 2nd at Wolverhampton later that month off a mark of 68.

Touchwood won by 2 ½ lengths last time at Lingfield off a mark of 68 and the handicapper has raised him 7lbs for that victory. He instead runs here under a 5lb penalty meaning that he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights and he should prove hard to beat with David Probert taking over on board.