Friday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Nine Tenths has leading claims in this race but at the prices I feel SIBYL CHARM (best priced at 14/1) looks the obvious each-way alternative. The Iain Jardine trained four-year-old is yet to finish out of the top two in her six starts so far this year with form figures of 212211. Her three victories have all come at this course with two of those, including her latest victory, coming over this trip of 7f.

This represents a step up in class for Sibyl Charm from a Class 4 0-78 handicap up to a Class 2 handicap but that does mean she gets over a stone of weight from the favourite and she should run well with up to four places available. 

Irish raider Noble Crusade is respected in his hat-trick bid but preference instead goes to the only course and distance winner in the field CHURCHELLA (best priced at 6/1). The David O’Meara trained four-year-old won here in December off a mark of 60 and beat the in-form The Craftymaster at Southwell earlier this month. That rival had won his previous six starts and was only beaten ¾ length by Churchella that day. He got back to winning ways last time at Newcastle off a 3lb higher mark and has been raised another 3lbs for that success.

Churchella runs here off a 5lb higher mark so he still looks well handicapped based on that run and he should run well with five places widely available.  

This is  a competitive Class 2 All-Weather Sprint Handicap but preference goes to COVER UP (best priced at 7/2) who is bidding for a four-timer. The John & Thady Gosden trained four-year-old is 3/3 on the AW with his latest two victories coming over 5f here at Newcastle. His latest victory was an impressive three length success off a mark of 88 and despite being raised 13lbs, he still looks to hold leading claims. 

This step up in trip to 6f is a slight question mark based on his finishing effort at Lingfield in November but he looks really progressive, has shown good course form and looks the most likely winner.