Wednesday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive novices’ handicap chase but preference goes to THE CHANGING MAN (best priced at 2/1) who has run well in defeat on his previous three chase starts. The Joe Tizzard trained seven-year-old was a consistent hurdler last season with form figures of 1122282 including when 8th at the Cheltenham festival before putting in a career best when splitting graded winners Stay Away Fay and Grey Dawning off level weights at Exeter on his chasing debut.

The Changing Man was running well until unseating Brendan Powell in a Grade 2 at Sandown on his next start before disappointing last time at Warwick behind Grey Dawning. He now drops down in class from Grade 2 company into this handicap and he should prove hard to beat back at Exeter.

The Paul Nicholls trained WRAPPEDUPINMAY (best priced at 4/1) was beaten on his handicap debut at Ascot last time and despite running off the same mark here, he should get back on track. The six-year-old won his only PTP by 30 lengths before winning a bumper at this course by 24 lengths on his next start. He finished 2nd at Ffos Las on his hurdling debut behind the now 123 rated hurdler Mt Fugi Park before finishing 2nd here over 2m5f behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Deafening Silence who is now rated 135.

Wrappedupinmay travelled well at Ascot last time but weakened late on to finish 5th on good ground shaping like this softer surface would suit better. This return to Exeter should suit and he is expected to record a first win over hurdles.