Friday Racing Tips From Steve Ryder

The Neil King trained GO FOX (best priced at 11/4) faces less experienced rivals in this race and that can hopefully mean he win for a third time over fences. The nine-year-old has had ten starts over fences including two victories in June off marks of 81 and 88 with the first of those coming over this course and distance by 7 ½ lengths. He had struggled on his previous three starts over fences but bounced back to form finishing 2nd here over hurdles off a mark of 86.

Go Fox now goes back chasing off a mark of 85 where he is well handicapped and he faces the likes of One Last Glance and Ferrybridge who make their chasing debuts in this race and Dream Jet and Elpologreg who are yet to finish in the top 2 in their starts over fences. Go Fox I experienced over fences, has won over this course and distance previously and should prove hard to beat. 

For Gina won over this course and distance on her penultimate start but preference goes to HERMES LE GRIS (best priced at EVENS) who was an impressive winner last time and is 2lbs “well in” under a penalty. The seven-year-old was unlucky not to make a winning stable debut for Robbie Llewellyn when falling at the second last at Southwell when going well but made amends when an easy seven length winner at Huntingdon eight days ago. 

The handicapper has raised Hermes Le Gris up to a mark of 92 for that victory but he instead runs here under a 7lb penalty meaning he is 2lbs “well in” at the weights. He looks progressive and should prove hard to beat back up in trip under Liam Harrison.  

This looks a competitive 0-65 handicap but preference goes to ALAFDHAL (best priced at 9/4) who showed a great attitude to win over this course and distance three weeks ago. The six-year-old left Phil McEntee in April rated 75 but following an unsuccessful spell in Jersey he returned to the stable rated 70. He struggled on his first three starts at Chelmsford but has shown much better form back over this course and distance on his previous two starts. 

Alafdhal finished 3rd beaten only a length on his penultimate start off a mark of 59 before winning despite not getting a clear run last time off the same mark. The handicapper has raised him 2lbs for that neck victory which is fair and he should prove hard to beat with Rossa Ryan retaining the ride.