Steve Ryder is back with three tips for today's Racing Action.
13:50 Plumpton
With an official rating of 110, KILBARRY HILL (best priced at 6/4) should prove hard to beat in this maiden hurdle. The Olly Murphy trained six-year-old finished 2nd on his final point-to-point starts before outrunning odds of 25/1 to finish 3rd on his hurdling debut at Warwick over 2 miles. He has finished placed on his next two starts at Bangor and Sedgefield over intermediate trips where he achieved RPRs of 110 and 109.
Kilbarry Hill sets the standard in this race over the less experienced Westerninthepark and Madam Ryder and he should be able to get off the mark at the fourth attempt.
15:00 Hereford
The form of BLACK HAWK EAGLE (best priced at 5/2) received a huge boost on Saturday and he should hold strong claims off a 5lb higher mark. The Kerry Lee trained six-year-old was disappointing on his stable debut having joined from Ireland where he was rated as high as 82 on the flat on his final start for Noel Meade but bounced back to form on his next start.
Black Hawk Eagle beat Georgi Girl by ¾ length at Wincanton on Boxing Day off a mark of 111 and he was raised 5lbs for that success. Georgi Girl won on Saturday off a 3lb higher mark at Sandown by 19 lengths and she will no doubt receive a huge rise in the ratings for that victory. Black Hawk Eagle therefore looks well handicapped as a result and should prove hard to beat off a mark of 116.
16:20 Plumpton
This looks a weak 0-100 handicap hurdle and a chance is taken on KOTARI (best priced at 4/1) on his handicap debut over hurdles. The Gary Moore trained five-year-old finished 2nd on his final two starts when trained in France before finishing 6th beaten four lengths on his only flat start for these connections in October when rated 75.
Kotari has finished beaten 54 lengths, 28 lengths and 36 lengths on his three starts over hurdles to date when racing keenly but now makes his handicap debut off an opening handicap mark of 97. He is now fitted in a first time hood which should help him settle and is expected to start fulfilling his earlier flat promise.
