Steve Ryder names his best bets for the day, with both selections at Plumpton.
15:20 Plumpton
Hereford has unfortunately been abandoned but there is jumps racing at both Plumpton and Punchestown on Monday 27th January, while Dundalk and Wolverhampton stage all-weather meetings.
Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder
The Nick Gifford trained RIVER TYNE (best priced at 3/1) was 0-6 over hurdles but has shown improved form over fences for the past year with form figures of 2231181.
The 10-year-old made a winning reappearance at this track over fences off a mark of 97 and put behind her a disappointing effort in a Class 3 handicap to win at Fontwell last time off a mark of 100.
River Tyne now reverts back to hurdling for the first time since March 2022 off a mark of 95 and she is clearly well handicapped off that mark. Whether she can repeat her recent improvement over the smaller obstacles is a question mark but I feel she is most likely winner of the race.
15:50 Plumpton
This race represents a significant drop in class for FANTASTIKAS (best priced at 5/1) and he is expected to bounce back to form.
The 10-year-old ran off a mark of 144 when sent off only 8/1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 but has since plummeted down to a mark of 119 since. He finished 3rd off that mark in December at Uttoxeter in a Class 3 0-130 handicap but now drops into a Class 4 0-120 handicap for the first time.
Connections have booked Toby McCain-Mitchell for the ride on Fantastikas and anything the 7lb claimer is on board has to be respected with all three of his rides in 2025 resulting in victories at prices of 7/1, 9/1 and 25/1. Hopefully Fantastikas can win for the first time since January 2022.
