Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Knight is interesting in a first time visor but preference instead goes to last year’s winner ASTRAL BEAU (best priced at 7/2) who should relish these conditions. The Pam Sly trained five-year-old won this race by four lengths last season when rated only 86 on heavy ground before finishing 3rd in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on her next start. That was the only defeat in her career on soft or heavy ground with her other three races on the surface resulting in victories. 

Astral Beau finished only ¾ length behind Group 1 winner Prosperous Voyage at Epsom last season on good to firm ground before disappointing at Newmarket on her final two starts last season. She won this race following a 154 day break so this 176 day break is no concern and she can upset some higher rated rivals once again this year. 

The unexposed and race-fit Helter Skelter is respected but a low draw could prove against him and preference instead goes to HARSWELL DUKE (best priced at 6/1). The Roger Fell & Sean Murray trained six-year-old won this race last season off a mark of 83 and remarkably he runs in the race off an 8lb lower mark. 

Harswell Duke has had his prep run in the same Newcastle race as last year a fortnight ago which will put him spot on for this and he should run well from Stall 14 with up to six places widely available. 

The Skelton’s could have a lucrative day at Newbury with both Kartoon And Co and Heltenham but at a much bigger price LINDY REILLY (best priced at 7/1) looks to hold strong claims on her handicap debut. The six-year-old has form figures of 365 in maiden/novice hurdles but she looks the type to improve from her opening mark of 104. 

Lindy Reilly is in receipt of over a stone from the likes of Party Vibes, El Elefante and Smiling Getaway which could prove crucial in this Grade 2 handicap and she can hopefully get off the mark in this race. 

The Karl Burke trained PILGRIM OF CULTURE (best priced at 9/2) went into my notebook following an eye-catching qualifying run for handicaps last time and she should prove much better than her opening mark of 63. The three-year-old filly finished 3rd at Newcastle on her penultimate start before being given a low key ride from Pierre-Louis Jamin when 7th over 1m½f at Wolverhampton last time. 

Pilgrim Of Culture now steps up in trip to 1m4f for the first time in her career on her handicap debut and she should prove hard to beat off this opening mark of 63.