Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The likes of Monviel, Rare Edition and Jay Jay Reilly are all respected in this competitive handicap hurdle but they are expected to struggle to concede weight to last year’s winner IRISH HILL (best priced at 11/2). The Paul Nicholls trained six-year-old won this race last season off a mark of 128 under Harry Cobden before finishing midfield at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. He struggled on his first two starts this season but ran much better when 2nd in first time blinkers at Newbury in December off a mark of 127.

Irish Hill ran better than the finishing position of 9th suggests in the Lanzarote Hurdle last time and he seems fortunate to be dropped 2lbs for that effort down to a mark of 125. Freddie Gingell takes off a handy 5lbs and he looks sure to be involved in the finish with up to six places available.

The form of the Venetia Williams stable would be a small concern but VICTTORINO (best priced at 3/1) still looks well handicapped off a mark of 146. The six-year-old had nine chase starts in France before winning on his reappearance over this course and distance in November off a mark of 138. Amazingly the handicapper only raised him 4lbs for that six length success and he followed up with a ¾ length victory over Yeah Man on his next start in the Silver Cup in December.

Victtorino was sent off only 9/2 for a competitive Cheltenham handicap last time over 2m4f where he didn’t appear to enjoy the track or the drop in trip and he looks to hold strong claims back over this course and distance off the same mark.

Saint Sam was making heavy weather of winning a match race with Visionarian last time when falling at the last and it may be worth backing RIVIERE D’ETEL (best priced at 15/8) to upset the favourite in this race. The Gordon Elliott trained seven-year-old has been running consistently well this season chasing home Captain Guinness at Navan before beating Allegorie De Vassy by 33 lengths at Fairyhouse on her penultimate start.

Allegorie De Vassy reversed form back at 2 miles and on a left-handed track at Naas a week ago but this return to a right-handed track and an intermediate trip will suit Riviere D’etel. She is only rated 10lbs inferior to Saint Sam but receives a sex-allowance and she should have a good chance of upsetting the favourite.   

A fascinating renewal of the Grade 1 Ascot Chase where PIC D’ORHY (best priced at 2/1) should relish the conditions. The Paul Nicholls trained nine-year-old faces L’Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor who have both shown their best form going left-handed whereas he has shown his best form at this track. He won a Grade 2 novice chase here before finishing 2nd behind an on-form Shishkin in this race last season when he finished ahead of Fakir D’Oudairies by seven lengths.

Pic D’Orhy won here by 16 lengths on his reappearance albeit in underwhelming fashion before finishing 2nd behind Banbridge in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last time. Tactics will be interesting between the main market rivals but I expect Harry Cobden to make all on Pic D’Orhy and put the jumping of his rivals under pressure.

REDONDO (best priced at 9/4) failed to trouble the judge on his three turf starts in Ireland but made a winning stable debut for Daragh Bourke over this course and distance last time. The three-year-old was making his AW and handicap debut a fortnight ago where he was sent off a well backed 5/1 shot. He travelled well in the rear that day under PJ McDonald before winning by 1 ½ lengths at the finish.

The handicapper has raised Redondo 6lbs for that victory which is fair and he is expected to follow up in this race.