Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-110 handicap hurdle but preference goes to NIGHT BEAR (best priced at 12/1) who ran his best race over hurdles last time on his handicap debut at Hereford. The Tony Carroll trained six-year-old is still rated 70 on the flat so his opening mark of 87 over hurdles looked appealing despite him failing to have an impact in his first three starts over hurdles.

Night Bear travelled well into the 2 mile contest that day but weakened late on having made a mistake at the final hurdle. The handicapper has generously dropped him 2lbs for that 5 ½ length defeat and he should relish this easy 2 mile at Kempton.

Many of the runners in this race are struggling for recent form apart from ALL THE KING'S MEN (best priced at 13/8) who ran well to finish 2nd over this course and distance a fortnight ago. The George Boughey trained five-year-old has a good record on the AW this year with form figures of 1322 including when 2nd by a head over this course and distance last time when fitted with first time cheekpieces.

The handicapper has only raised All The King’s Men 1lb for that run which seems lenient as they pulled 1 ¾ lengths clear of the third and he should prove hard to beat with Billy Loughnane retaining the ride.