Steve Ryder is back with three racing tips for today's racing action.
18:30 Kempton
The Eve Johnson Houghton trained BIG R (best priced at 5/2) showed good form at Kempton last year and shaped like this drop back down to 6f should suit last time. The four-year-old finished 3rd over 5f on his second career start before finishing 2nd over 6f here on his final start last season.
He returned from being gelded to run well on five starts on turf in 2023 before shaping well on his reappearance at Southwell to finish 7th.
Big R paid the price for racing wide over 7f last time shaping like this drop back to 6f will suit him well. He is now fitted with first time blinkers and should prove hard to beat under positive tactics from Stall 1.
19:00 Kempton
Last time out winner Bulldog Drummond is respected in this race but preference instead goes to ENGINEER (best priced at 5/4) on his handicap debut.
The Clive Cox trained colt had wind surgery prior to his debut where he finished 3rd beaten only 1 ¼ lengths. He justified his short price to get off the mark at Wolverhampton on his second start before chasing home the impressive Mukaafah when 2nd over this course and distance last time.
Engineer finished a further 2 ¼ lengths clear of the third that day and an opening mark of 80 looks lenient. He has been well backed overnight but should win this before stepping up in grade.
20:30 Kempton
Despite uninspiring form figures of 000, it looks worth taking a chance on RUBIO DE ORO (best priced at 10/1) on his handicap debut. The Marco Botti trained gelding was sent off only 10/1 on his debut over this course and distance but finished well beaten and was then sent off 100/1 and 250/1 on his next two starts at Lingfield and Chelmsford.
Rubio De Oro has raced in rear in all three of his career starts to date but I am expecting much more positive tactics with first time blinkers added off an opening mark of 54. Hollie Doyle looks a notable booking for the yard as she operates at a 17% strike rate for them showing a profit of 21.50 on all of her rides (12-72) and looks worth taking a chance on at the prices.
