Monday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Fiston De Becon has run with credit on both of his chase starts this season but preference instead goes to the more consistent RED HAPPY (best priced at 4/1). The George Bewley trained seven-year-old won on his final start for David Pipe in October before winning his first two starts for new connections at Kelso and Carlisle. He could only finish 3rd last time at Kelso but he jumped right-handed that day on a left-handed track so this return to Carlisle will suit him well.

Red Happy’s victories came over trips of 2m3f, 2m5½f and 2m5f so this return to 2m4f is a positive and he should run well with 5lb claimer Edward Austin taking over on board and three places still available.

HOUSTON TEXAS (best priced at 5/2) has to overcome a poor run on Boxing Day but he looks worth chancing back at a track where he has won all four starts. The Nicky Richards trained ten-year-old has won four handicap chases at this track off marks of 103, 111, 116 and 119 with the latest of those coming in November when he was an impressive 3 ¼ length winner.

Houston Texas pulled up in the Rowland Meyrick Chase on Boxing Day at Wetherby from 3lbs out of the handicap but has been given a break since and is now only 6lbs higher than his success here on his penultimate start. He will relish these heavy conditions and should make it 5/5 at this track.

This looks a weak 0-105 handicap hurdle and it looks a good opportunity for PERCULATOR (best priced at 2/1) to make it 2/2 in cheekpieces. The Mark Walford trained seven-year-old could only finish 6th on his reappearance at Newcastle in November but took well to first time cheekpieces last time to win at Wetherby over 3 miles on soft ground. She showed a fantastic attitude to win by a neck that day off a mark of 96 and the handicapper has only raised her 4lbs.

This trip of 3m1f on heavy ground should suit Perculator well and I expect her to make it 2/2 in cheekpieces.