Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The form of the run from R S Ambush (best priced at 10/3) has been boosted since and he should hold strong claims on his handicap debut. The four-year-old finished midfield on his two runs in Ireland for David Kelly before finishing 2nd at Worcester on his stable debut for Dr Richard Newland.

R S Ambush finished 2nd that day beaten 8 ½ lengths by Kamsinas who went on to finish 2nd behind subsequent Greatwood Hurdle runner-up Lookaway in a Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the third Speaker Thomas finished 2nd on his next start in a maiden hurdle at Doncaster. He runs here off a mark off an opening mark of 102 which is 3lbs lower than his revised mark of 105 from the form boost and he should prove hard to beat on his handicap debut.

The Kim Bailey trained Lady Gwen (best priced at 2/1) escapes a penalty for her Taunton success so she should prove hard to beat off the same mark. The five-year-old has been in good form this year since joining from Jane Williams with form figures of 15241 including wins at both Stratford and Taunton.

Kai Lenihan rode Lady Gwen well to her 1 ¾ length victory at Taunton last time in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle and the pair should prove hard to beat only a week later from 5lbs “well in” at the weights.

Tamaris is respected in his hat-trick bid but preference instead goes to Flagrant Delitiep (best priced at 11/4) who boasts some strong course and distance form. The Robert Walford trained eight-year-old has form figures of 4212221353 at the track including a victory off a mark of 127. He finished 3rd in a 0-125 handicap chase last time behind the impressive winner Huelgoat off a mark of 108 and the handicapper has dropped him 1lb for that run.

Flagrant Delitiep now drops down in class into a 0-110 handicap and he should prove hard to beat with regular rider Harry Kimber being able to claim 3lbs off him in this race.