Monday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Both Lucky Place and Golden Ace are respected in this novice hurdle but preference goes to INSURRECTION (best priced at 4/5) who should prove hard to beat. The Paul Nicholls trained seven-year-old was an impressive twenty length winner of an Irish PTP before making a winning hurdling debut at Exeter in November by 8 ½ lengths.

That run was the first run for 215 days and following a wind operation where Insurrection won easily beating the well regarded Colin Tizzard trained Diamond Ri. Following that victory Insurrection finished a close 2nd in the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown where he just appeared to be outstayed over 2m4f on heavy ground. 2m3f on soft ground should be perfect and I expect him to prove hard to beat. 

The David Pipe trained JOHANNES (best priced at 7/2) was sent off only 11/2 for his UK debut last time when finishing 6th and he should run well against his elders in this weaker contest. The four-year-old was an impressive 9 ½ length winner of a 2m flat race in France prior to joining this stable this season.

Johannes ran well to finish 6th on his hurdling debut behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Balboa who went on to win the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow by 21 lengths. A better effort is now expected from Johannes and he gets a handy weight allowance from his elders in this race.  

This looks a competitive 0-130 handicap hurdle but preference goes to the consistent VICKI VALE (best priced at 9/2) who has had the form of her latest 3rd boosted. The Dan Skelton trained seven-year-old ended last season winning here over 2m½f before finishing 2nd on her reappearance at Wincanton following a wind operation.

Vicki Vale finished 3rd at Aintree behind the impressive winner Sonigino where Benson was a further 5 ½ lengths behind in 4th. That rival went on to win at Musselburgh on his next start to boost the form and Vicki Vale now runs here off a 1lb lower mark. With four places widely available, she looks sure to be involved in the finish.