Steve Ryder has three tips for Tuesday's racing, including one in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom Downs.
Betfred Blue Riband Trial Stakes
2:40 Epsom- Saxon Street (1pt)
The Gosden stable have a superb record in this race winning it seven times including with Cracksman in 2017 so SAXON STREET (best priced at 6/4) is worthy of instant record. The Saxon Warrior colt justified odds of 8/11 to make a winning debut at Chelmsford in December over a mile overcoming a pace bias from the rear.
The form of that race hasn’t been tested since but the stable have started this season in superb form, particularly with three-year-olds on turf. He faces New Zealand, who is rated 106, off level weights who sets a high standard but Saxon Street can justify his Dante Stakes and Derby entries with a victory here.
BresBet
1m4f Handicap
3:50 Epsom- Asgard’s Captain (1pt)
ASGARD’S CAPTAIN (best priced at 4/1) was race-fit when an impressive winner of this race last season and he arrives this year having caught the eye in Meydan last month. The Dylan Cunha trained six-year-old was an impressive 4 ½ length winner last year off a mark of 84 before being given too much to do on Derby day on his next start.
Asgard’s Captain won at York off a mark of 88 in August and has since placed in a Meydan Handicap off a mark of 91. He runs here off a mark of 90 and looks the one to beat.
5f Handicap
4:43 Lingfield- Ancient State (1pt)
This looks to be between the two course and distance winners in the field Mick’s Spirit and ANCIENT STATE (best priced at 1/1) with preference going to the latter. His trainer Adam Kirby has made a superb start to his training career including with three winners from his previous six runners.
Ancient State is unbeaten in his three starts over 5f in his career including winning his previous two starts. The handicapper raised him 6lbs for his 1 ¾ length win last time over this course and distance but he is progressive and should prove hard to beat with a strong pace to aim at.
