Three free selections from Steve Ryder at Newbury and Southwell.
14:25 Newbury
Tip 1 – 2:25 Newbury – TELEPATHIQUE – 1pt Win
Telepathique has been nothing but consistent over fences, returning figures of 112112, including a Listed win over Brides Hill at Huntingdon last season. She shaped well on her reappearance at Carlisle when chasing home Paggane, and that form has been strongly boosted since with the winner bolting up by 8½ lengths under a penalty at Market Rasen on Wednesday.
Back on a right-handed track and sure to strip fitter for that seasonal debut, Telepathique looks primed to run a big race from a mark of 148. She brings both class and reliability to the table in this line-up, and she is very much the one they all have to beat.
15:15 Southwell
Tip 2 – 3:15 Southwell – ROYAL ZABEEL – 0.5pt EW
Royal Zabeel is a big price here considering he is joint-top rated with Rogue Lightning and already proven on the all-weather. His AW record of 21121 highlights his suitability to this surface, and he has winning form at this track along with a narrow second over 7f.
He hasn’t been seen on the all-weather since landing a Listed contest over Witch Hunter, a performance which earned him his lofty rating of 110. Drawn well in Stall 6 and returning to his favoured conditions, he looks a cracking each-way option with four places widely available.
15:35 Newbury
Tip 3 – 3:35 Newbury – DIAMOND RI – 1pt Win
Diamond Ri returns from a long absence — 590 days — but he has always been held in high regard, and Joe Tizzard’s team are flying at a 32% strike rate over the last two weeks. Connections will have this talented six-year-old ready.
He comfortably beat a now-rated-139 chaser in a maiden hurdle before contesting the Listed Sidney Banks where he finished behind Grade 1 winners Handstands (155) and Jango Baie (165), as well as the smart Bugise Seagull (137). Now making his handicap debut off just 128, he looks extremely well treated if retaining his ability.
If he’s anywhere near his best, he should take plenty of beating over this trip.
