Wednesday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-135 novices’ handicap chase but preference goes to Brave Kingdom (best priced at 2/1) who has won four of his five starts under rules. The Paul Nicholls trained seven-year-old won a Ffos Las bumper before winning a Chepstow maiden hurdle by 9 ½ lengths. He finished 3rd in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Sandown on his next start before ending his novice season with a comfortable victory under a penalty at Taunton.

Brave Kingdom made a winning return from 690 days off the track following a wind operation at Plumpton on his chasing debut when he won easily by 2 ½ lengths. The handicapper has raised him 5lbs for that victory which is fair and he should hold strong claims of making it 2/2 over fences.

Unbeaten duo Gidleigh Park and East India Express dominate the market for this novice hurdle but Fire Flyer (best priced at 4/1) should run well on his hurdling debut in receipt of 6lbs. The Paul Nicholls trained five-year-old won a strong Ascot bumper on his debut last season before slightly disappointing in a listed bumper at the end of last season. He returned this season with a good 2nd in a listed bumper at Cheltenham behind the well regarded Brechin Castle when only beaten 2 ¼ lengths.

Fire Flyer makes his hurdling debut here but gets 6lbs from his main market rivals and he is expected to run well.

The favourite Etalon looks vulnerable on his reappearance and preference instead goes to Mr Grey Sky (best priced at 6/1) who has won his two starts this season. The Kim Bailey trained nine-year-old won on his reappearance at Huntingdon by 6 ½ lengths off a mark of 115 on only his second chase start before following up at Chepstow on soft ground on his next start.

The handicapper has raised Mr Grey Sky 3lbs for that 1 ¼ length success which is fair and he should hold strong claims of completing a hat-trick of wins over fences.