Friday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-135 novices’ handicap chase but preference goes to ABUFFALOSOLDIER (best priced at 3/1) who was an impressive ten length winner here in January. The Warren Greatrex trained seven-year-old was returning following a wind operation and was fitted with first time cheekpieces last time when he stretched clear off a mark of 120.

The handicapper has raised Abuffalosoldier 9lbs for that impressive victory which is fair and if the cheekpieces work for a second time then he should prove hard to beat over 1f further.

David’s Well is respected on his handicap debut off an opening mark of 108 but preference instead goes to DOYEN QUEST (best priced at 7/2) who can go one better than on his handicap debut last time. The six-year-old won a maiden hurdle at Taunton on his penultimate start before finishing a length 2nd on his handicap debut last time off a mark of 112.

The Dan Skelton stable are in good form currently and Doyen Quest should prove hard to beat off the same mark. The handicapper has raised him 6lbs for his 2nd placed finish as they pulled 7 ½ lengths clear of the third meaning he is 6lbs “well in” fort his race with Harry Skelton back on board.

The least exposed runner over hurdles in this six runner 0-110 handicap hurdle is TWO AULD PALS (best priced at 2/1) who makes his handicap debut off an opening mark of 106. The Lucinda Russell trained six-year-old has run well on his three starts over hurdles so far finishing 2nd at both Bangor and Newcastle before finishing 3rd at Ayr last time when beaten only two lengths.

Two Auld Pals is rated 73 on the flat so he looks well handicapped off an opening mark of 106 and he should prove hard to beat on his handicap debut in this race.