14:20 Southwell

Steve Ryder runs through the key races on 17th March and names his best bets for the day.

There is jumps racing at Fontwell, Southwell, Wexford and Down Royal on Monday 17th March while Wolverhampton stages an all-weather meeting this evening.

Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder 

The fitting of a first-time visor on Ultra Beat could bring about improvement but the recent standard is set by ALI STAR BERT (best priced at 9/4). The Shaun Harris trained nine-year-old has a fantastic record at this course over fences with form figures of 12122232 including when a two-length 2nd last time over 3m½f.

Both of his victories here have come over this trip of 3m2f and the way that Ali Star Bert shaped last time means that this step back up in trip will suit. A 2lb higher mark shouldn’t prove beyond him and he looks the one to beat.

2:20 Southwell- Ali Star Bert 9/4 (1pt)

15:30 Southwell

The lightly raced seven-year-old SOUTH OMO ZONE (best priced at 11/2) has won twice in his career on good ground and good to soft ground so the fact that he was pulled up last time on heavy ground can be excused. His 8 ½ length victory at Wincanton in January came on his stable debut for Olly Murphy and it was surprising that he was allowed his opportunity to run last time on heavy ground given he was a NR on soft ground only nine days prior.

South Omo Zone achieved the same RPR as the favourite Jack Hyde in his victory last time so the price discrepancy between the two seems too big and it looks worth taking a chance that he can bounce back to form back on better ground.

3:30 Southwell- South Omo Zone 11/2 (1pt)

16:40 Southwell

This looks a competitive 0-110 handicap hurdle but preference goes to INISHNABRO (best priced at 4/1) who was an impressive winner on his handicap debut at Market Rasen in December. The Henry Oliver trained six-year-old was a ten length winner of a PTP in April before running with credit in two maiden hurdles at Market Rasen and here over 2 miles.

Inishnabro won on his handicap debut on Boxing Day at Market Rasen over 2m2½f off an opening mark of 104 on good to soft ground and appears to have been saved for the better ground since. Off only a 3lb higher mark and with the further step up in trip to 2m4f in his favour, he should prove hard to beat under regular rider Lee Edwards.

4:40 Southwell- Inishnabro 4/1 (1pt)