Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive renewal of the North Yorkshire Grand National but preference goes to last year’s winner BUSHYPARK (best priced at 5/1) who confidence will be boosted by a win over hurdles last time. The Philip Kirby trained ten-year-old won this race last season by 3 ½ lengths off a mark of 119 and he runs here off only a 5lb higher mark.

Bushypark disappointed on his first two runs this season over hurdles at Aintree and Uttoxeter before bouncing back to form to win at Haydock on heavy ground. This return to chasing will suit him and he should relish this stamina test once again.

The David Evans trained ULTRAMARINE (best priced at 2/1) has won three out of his four previous starts including a victory at this course in November. The five-year-old had previously dropped from a mark of 72 when joining the stable down to 64 when he won over 6f here in November. He was outpaced over the same trip at Wolverhampton on his next start but won his next two at Wolverhampton and Kempton over 7f off marks of 68 and 71.

Ultramarine beat The Caltonian by a short head on his penultimate start and that rival has since boosted the form by winning his next two starts off an 8lb higher mark. Ultramarine runs here from 8lbs “well in” at the weights following his win in an apprentice handicap on Saturday and he should prove hard to beat.

Wee Geordie is respected on his handicap debut but preference instead goes to THE GAY BLADE (best priced at 7/4) who races 5lbs “well in” at the weights despite a 5lb penalty. The Iain Jardine trained five-year-old has been running consistently well with form figures of 3152323361 with his latest victory at Newcastle coming by 7 ½ lengths.

The Gay Blade won easily that day following a 66 day break making all under Andrew Mullen and similar tactics will suit this track. That victory came off a mark of 52 and the handicapper has raised him 10lbs so he is 5lbs “well in” under a 5lb penalty.