Friday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive 0-85 handicap but preference goes to BERKSHIRE NUGGET (best priced at 7/2) who runs in this race from 4lbs “well in” at the weights. The Andrew Balding trained three-year-old has finished 2nd on both of his starts in handicap company off a mark of 77 and he should hold strong claims off the same mark.

Berkshire Nugget finished 2nd by ¾ at Kempton on his reappearance before finishing 2nd by the same distance at Newmarket a week ago behind Global Asset with the pair pulling 4 ¼ lengths clear of the third. The handicapper has raised him 4lbs up to a mark of 77 but he instead runs here off a mark of 73 again meaning he is 4lbs “well in” at the weights and he should prove hard to beat. 

Back Steve Ryder's tips directly through oddschecker at a guaranteed best price by clicking the odds widget below the tips.

Sir Mark Prescott won this race last season with Royal Ascot winner Pledgeofallegiance and he should hold strong claims again this year with MISS GITANA (best priced at 7/2). The daughter of Nathaniel ran with credit on her four qualifying runs last season before progressing well so far this season. She finished 4th beaten two lengths over 1m2f at Yarmouth before finishing a nose 2nd at Beverley over 1m4f. 

Miss Gitana finished 2nd beaten 2 ½ lengths at Beverley last time when looking outpaced over 1m4f shaping like this further step up in trip to 1m6f would suit. She runs off the same mark of 65 here and should win with Daniel Muscutt deputising on board. 

The David Marnane trained EAST HAMPTON (best priced at 9/4) was a huge eyecatcher when 4th beaten only 3 ¼ lengths over this course and distance on his debut and he should get off the mark if running up to the same level. The son of Cracksman showed plenty of pace despite being slowly away and inexperienced in the early stages before not getting a clear run and staying on well in the closing stages.

With a clear run East Hampton would have had a big chance of defying odds of 66/1 and beating the well-regarded trio of Henri Matisse, Cadogan and Red Evolution and this looks a less competitive race today. 

Course and distance winner Tiffany is respected but in receipt of an age-allowance, CHIC COLOMBINE (best priced at 4/1) can hopefully make it 2/2 on the AW. The George Boughey trained three-year-old won four in a row last season including over 7f at this track but shaped last time when 2nd in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom that this step up in to 1m2f shouldn’t inconvenience her. 

Both Breege and Royal Dress ran respectable races in the Group 2 at Royal Ascot and Chic Colombine should record her first Group race victory of her career. 

STEPPENWOLF (best priced at 7/4) won on his stable debut for David Pipe having joined from Gavin Cromwell and he should hold strong claims of following up off an 8lb higher mark. The six-year-old had a wind operation prior to that first run for 124 days and he won in impressive style by three lengths at the finish. 

An 8lb rise will make this more difficult but Steppenwolf was impressive and looks worth keeping onside until he is beaten for new connections. 

Signalman will be popular in first time cheekpieces but preference instead goes to XIOMARA (best priced at 13/8) who should have finished closer than her finishing position of fifth suggested last time at Salisbury. The David Menuisier trained three-year-old ran well to finish a close 2nd on her handicap debut at Nottingham a month ago before being given too much to do by Kyle Strydom at Salisbury last time.

Off the same mark of 76 and with Kieran Shoemark taking over on board, Xiomara should prove hard to beat if handling the track at Newmarket.