Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The eleven-year-old CHTI BALKO (best priced at 7/2) won for the first time in three years earlier this month and he should hold strong claims off a 6lb higher mark. The Donald McCain trained gelding is a three-time course winner at Haydock including two handicap victories off marks of 135. He won a Class 3 handicap here on heavy ground over 2 miles in December 2020 off a mark of 135 by 26 lengths so he should relish these conditions off a mark of 122.

Abbie McCain rode him to victory last time at Bangor by 18 lengths and she retains the ride here. She faces the in-form trio of Whistle Stop Tour, Lord Of Cheshire and El Jefe but he looks the one to beat. 

The Paul Nicholls trained WRAPPEDUPINMAY (best priced at 2/1) owes punters a favour having been beaten at 8/13 on his previous three starts but he should get back to winning ways off an opening handicap mark of 118. The five-year-old was an impressive 30 length winner of a PTP before winning an Exeter bumper by 24 lengths on heavy ground in January. He was beaten by stablemate Inthewaterside in a Sandown bumper on his next start before making an encouraging hurdling debut last time at Ffos Las behind the well regarded Mt Fugi Park.

Wrappedupinmay finished 2nd behind Deafening Silence last time at Exeter over 2m5½f and that rival has since boosted the form by winning the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown on his next start and is now rated 135. On that form he looks well handicapped off an opening mark of 118 and should prove hard to beat upped in trip to 3 miles for the first time. 

Eleven-year-olds Champ and Paisley Park are respected in this race but preference instead goes to the progressive six-year-old CRAMBO (best priced at 4/1). The Fergal O’Brien trained gelding has risen through the handicap ranks and made an impressive winning reappearance at Aintree off a mark of 133. He was unlucky when 3rd at Haydock last time when upped to 3 miles for the first time when given a lot to do by Connor Brace.

Jonathan Burke takes over on board on Crambo for this race with Ascot sure to suit him well as he is 4/4 going right-handed in his career including when winning a maiden hurdle here by 3 ¾ lengths. He has 17lbs to find with Dashel Drasher on official ratings but whether he truly ran up that figure last time is questionable and I expect Crambo to run well with four places on offer.