Steve Ryder is back three tips for todays racing action
15:15 Haydock
The Joseph O’Brien trained LARK IN THE MORNIN (best priced at 5/2) won the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival despite the heavy ground and he should relish this faster ground off only an 8lb higher mark. The four-year-old showed he was a smart performer on the flat with a rating of 93 from only two runs before three eye-catching runs over hurdles on soft and heavy ground.
Lark In The Mornin has been a NR four times in his career but connections allowed him to take his chance at the Cheltenham festival when he won by two lengths off an opening mark of 122. Faster ground on this speed favouring track should suit him well and I will be disappointed if he couldn’t beat his more exposed rivals in this race in receipt of his weight-for-age allowance.
Lark In The Mornin has been a NR four times in his career but connections allowed him to take his chance at the Cheltenham festival when he won by two lengths off an opening mark of 122. Faster ground on this speed favouring track should suit him well and I will be disappointed if he couldn’t beat his more exposed rivals in this race in receipt of his weight-for-age allowance.
Lark In the Mornin - 2pts
16:35 Hexham
This looks a competitive 0-120 handicap chase but preference goes to FIVE DOLLAR FINE (best priced at 7/2) who was an impressive 7 ½ length winner over this course and distance a month ago. The Ann Hamilton trained nine-year-old ran over 3½ furlong on his previous two runs prior to his victory here so it was encouraging to see how well he travelled into that contest.
The better ground over this trip is a slight question mark but it is worth noting that Five Dollar Fine was hampered after the second last fence but still won comfortably by 7 ½ lengths. A 9lb rise for that seems fair and he looks the one to beat.
The better ground over this trip is a slight question mark but it is worth noting that Five Dollar Fine was hampered after the second last fence but still won comfortably by 7 ½ lengths. A 9lb rise for that seems fair and he looks the one to beat.
Five Dollar Fine - 1pt
18:55 Leicester
With no standout contender in this 0-70 handicap, I am willing to take a chance on the outsider of the field YOSHIMI (best priced at 33/1). The Michael Herrington trained seven-year-old has a good record at Leicester in his career with form figures of 1241 including victories off marks of 65 and 68. Following his victory here last season, he placed at both Carlisle and Newcastle off marks of 73 so this mark of 71 shouldn’t prove beyond him.
The fact connections have once again left off his cheekpieces (worn for his previous two victories last year) raises question marks but he still looks worth taking a chance on at the prices with up to four places available.
Yoshimi - 0.5pts e/w
