Steve Ryder has two selections today, including a long shot.
4:55 Southwell
Asa (1pt)
Best price 13/8 at the time of publishing.
The Philip Kirby trained ASA (best priced at 6/4) won this race last season by 27 lengths off a mark of 95 and she runs here off only a 5lb higher mark. The seven-year-old won the same race at Catterick last time that she did a year ago prior to victory in this contest so connections have clearly campaigned her to peak at this time of the year.
Asa won by two lengths last time over fences off this mark of 100 and now reverts back to hurdles off the same mark which means she is 2lbs “well in” at the weights. Joe Williamson has now lost his 3lb claim which will make things trickier but she still looks the one to beat.
Betano Sportbook
6:00 Kempton
Tadreeb (0.5pt ew)
Best price 25/1 at the time of publishing.
This looks a competitive 0-75 handicap but a chance is taken on TADREEB (best priced at 25/1) despite a high draw. The Rod Millman trained eight-year-old has been running with credit recently finishing within five lengths of the winner on his previous four starts where he has dropped down from a mark of 74 to 70.
Tadreeb now wears cheekpieces for the first time since September 2024 and it is worth remembering that his last win came off a mark of 74 in January last year so he has now become well handicapped. He will no doubt be dropped in from Stall 11 but be staying on well at the finish with up to four places available.
