Steve Ryder is back with three tips from today's horse racing action.
14:30 Southwell
The Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero stable remain in good recent form currently operating at a 29% strike rate and HAPPY DU MESNIL (best priced at 13/8) should prove hard to beat under a 7lb penalty.
The seven-year-old finished 3rd and 4th on his first two starts for the yard in handicap chases on heavy and soft ground when not jumping with great fluency. He seemed to relish the good ground over this course and distance when he won easily by 10 lengths in a thirteen runner handicap chase off a mark of 91.
The combination of the ground and possibly the first time of having the assistance of Henry Brooke meant that Happy Du Mesnil jumped much better last time and he should prove hard to beat under a 7lb penalty. The handicapper has raised him 11lbs for that success so he is 4lbs “well in” at the weights and is expected to follow up his recent course and distance success.
20:00 Ayr
Bowman, who won on his first run after a wind operation last time, is feared but preference instead goes to KELPIE GREY (best priced at 5/2) who has won three of his previous four starts. The Jim Goldie trained grey won over this course and distance in October before slightly disappointing on the AW at Newcastle. He has returned this season with two turf wins at Musselburgh over a mile and 7f including when an easy 2 ¼ length winner off a mark of 72 last time.
A 6lb rise for that comfortable success is fair and I expect Kelpie Grey to hold strong claims of making it 3/3 this season.
20:30 Ayr
Trainer Mike Smith has only had three runners this month so far and that has resulted in two wins and a third placed finish who was beaten only ¾ length. One of those victories was ZEBRA STAR (best priced at 5/1) who won over this course and distance 12 days ago on her reappearance following 203 days off the track. Harry Burns, who retains the ride, was on board for the first time that day when she won comfortably by 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 55.
The handicapper has raised Zebra Star 3lbs up to a mark of 58 which is fair and she is expected to run well once again with up to five places available.
