Tuesday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Despite only now having four runners in the Boyne Cup this year, it looks a competitive renewal but preference goes to KESTREL VALLEY (best priced at 9/4) who is likely to get an uncontested lead. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained ten-year-old has won twice for this stable by 23 lengths and 20 lengths before racing in better company on her previous two starts. 

Kestrel Valley ran well to finish 3rd in a listed chase at Exeter before running 8th in the Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham festival over an inadequate trip. This step back up in trip to 3 miles and a drop back down in class to handicap company should mean she can dominate this race and I expect her to prove hard to beat. 

This looks a competitive 0-75 handicap but preference goes to the top-weight ON THE RIVER (best priced at 13/2). The Harriet Bethell trained five-year-old completed a hat-trick wins on his first starts for the yard before winning at Beverley in July on heavy ground off a mark of 77 in a 0-85 handicap. He struggled off higher marks on faster ground on his final three starts last season but he is now back down to a mark of 77 as a result. 

On The River drops down in class to this 0-75 for his reappearance off top weight and this 194 day break should prove no concern given that he won following a 200 day break last season. Four places are widely available and he looks sure to be involved at the finish.

The Ed de Giles trained TROJAN TRUTH (best priced at 15/8) won on his reappearance over this course and distance a week ago and he should prove hard to beat off a 3lb higher mark. The five-year-old was returning from 201 days off the track but won under a good ride from 7lb claimer Liam Wright to win by 1 ¼ lengths at the finish. 

That victory came off a mark of 54 and the handicapper has only raised Trojan Truth 3lbs up to a mark of 57. He is well drawn to get a good early position from Stall 2 and he should be able to make it 2/2 this season.