Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Ryan Moore has his first ride back in the UK this year and hopefully it is a winning one on GRENHAM BAY (best priced at 6/1). The Andrew Balding trained four-year-old wasn’t beaten far over this course and distance on his two starts in December off a mark of 70 and he should hold strong claims off only a 1lb higher mark.

Grenham Bay was only beaten ½ length when 2nd and 1 ¼ lengths when 3rd over this course and distance before slightly disappointing at Wolverhampton last time when dropped back to 6f. The return to this course and distance will suit him and he looks sure to run well with four places widely available.

This represents a step up in grade for DIOMED SPIRIT (best priced at 4/1) but the in-form gelding should hold strong claims of completing a five-timer. The Stuart Williams trained four-year-old started his winning sequence at Wolverhampton on his return from a break off a mark of 66 before winning twice at Chelmsford off marks of 72 and 78 and last time at Wolverhampton off a mark of 82.

The handicapper has only raised Diomed Spirit 3lbs for that ½ length victory which is fair and he should run well with Hollie Doyle deputising on board.

New York Bay is a notable NR this morning which is a shame but that should mean THE CRAFTYMASTER (best priced at 11/8) can extend his winning run. The four-year-old has shown improved form since joining the Tony Carroll stable with form figures of 2211. He won over this course and distance on his penultimate start by a length off a mark of 49 before following up here over 1m6f last time by a length off a mark of 51.

The Craftymaster runs here off 3lbs higher but crucially now steps back up in trip to over 2 miles again and should prove hard to beat with William Carson retaining the ride.