Tuesday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Many of the runners in this 0-120 handicap hurdle are struggling for recent form apart from AUTUMN RETURN (best priced at 5/6) who won at this course last time. The Ruth Jefferson trained seven-year-old has been running consistently well since switching to handicaps with form figures of 24121. She won her final start at Perth last season before finishing a close 2nd at Kelso on her reappearance in October.

Autumn Festival was well backed when winning over 2m4f here 40 days ago and a 4lb rise for that 1 ¾ length success seems fair. This drop back in trip to 2m½f is a slight negative but she should prove too good for these.  

This looks a competitive 0-68 handicap but preference goes to EL HIBRI (best priced at 3/1) under a 5lb penalty. The Ian Williams trained five-year-old has shown improved form over this course and distance on his previous two starts since the re-application of headgear. The gelding was only beaten ¾ length in 4th on his penultimate start when fitted with a first-time visor before winning by a length over this course and distance last time off a mark of 56 when re-fitted with cheekpieces.

The booking of 5lb claimer Jack Enright negates the 5lb penalty he shoulders in this race and he should prove hard to beat from Stall 3.

Both Enola Grey and Maysan are respected following their recent victories but preference instead goes to STORYMAKER (best priced at 9/4) who has the benefit of a course win last time. The George Boughey trained filly has improved since the application of blinkers with form figures of 333111 including victories at Wolverhampton, Lingfield and this course last time.

Storymaker stayed on well over 7f last time shaping like this step up in trip to a mile should suit her well and she is respected under a 5lb penalty. The handicapper this morning has given her a 6lb rise so she is 1lb “well in” at the weights and I expect her to continue her progress.