Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Three fences were omitted in the home straight on both circuits when Djelo (best priced at 5/2) made a winning chasing debut at Aintree on his reappearance and he should prove hard to beat despite racing off a 7lb higher mark. The Venetia Williams trained five-year-old ended last season in slightly disappointing fashion at both Ascot and Sandown but rallied well to defeat the progressive Master Chewy by ¾ length last time. 

Djelo and Master Chewy pulled 12 lengths clear of the third Netywell that day so a 7lb rise seems fair and the runner-up is favourite at Newbury tomorrow off a 6lb higher mark. The stable are still operating at a 24% strike rate and he should prove hard to beat. 

This looks to be between the two last-time-out winners Moonlight Glory and Maggie O (best priced at 7/2) with the preference going to the latter. The Donald McCain trained five-year-old won after an 88 day break at Doncaster following a wind operation under Abbie McCain and she retains the ride for this race. She won by 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 86 that day and a 4lb rise seems fair lenient.

Maggie O was also fitted with a first time tongue tie that day which is retained here and hopefully she can make it 2/2 since a wind operation. 

Hermes Allen looks worth taking on making his chasing debut in a Grade 2 and Nickle Back (best priced at 5/1) is expected to make it 3/3 over fences. The handicapper has been impressed with his victories at Warwick and Stratford as he is now rated 147 which means he is only 1lb lower than Hermes Allen who won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last season. 

Nickle Back has won by a total of 43 lengths on his two chasing starts so far and he will no doubt make this a jumping test for his rivals in this race. I was hoping that connections would drop him to 2 miles when going up in class but the return to better ground should suit and he can make all under James Best.