Saturday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Last year’s winner Pic D’Orhy is respected but he wasn’t at his best on his reappearance at Ascot last time and preference instead goes to EDWARDSTONE (best priced at 11/4) who steps up in trip for the first time over fences. The Alan King trained ten-year-old has a fantastic record going right-handed with his only defeat when completing coming last time when 2nd to Jonbon in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. 
Edwardstone now steps up in trip to 2m4f for the first time over fences and his style of racing should be really suited to this contest with Pic D’Orhy and Notlongtillmay both likely to force a strong pace. He is top rated with a mark of 164 and he should prove hard to beat with the benefit of race fitness over Banbridge.
 

The Classic Chase is also a competitive contest but VOLCANO (best priced at 16/1) still looks a good each-way bet despite overnight support. The Sheila Lewis trained ten-year-old has form figures of 111151 at Warwick in his career with his only defeat coming in this race last season when racing 10lbs out of the handicap. He races only 2lbs out of the handicap this year and showed good form in a Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in November when 5th from 16lbs out of the handicap that day.
This return to Warwick will suit Volcano and he looks sure to run well with five places widely available. 
 

The Rebecca Menzies trained TOM CODY (best priced at 7/2) is unbeaten in his two starts in cheekpieces and he should hold strong claims of completing a hat-trick of wins. The progressive eight-year-old won a 3m novices’ handicap chase at Newcastle on his penultimate start by 5 ½ lengths off  a mark of 97 in first time cheekpieces before following up here over 2m3½f by ten lengths last time off a mark of 99.
The handicapper has raised Tom Cody 8lbs for that comfortable success last time which is fair and he should be well suited by this step back up in trip to 3 miles in this race.