Friday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder featuring two at Royal Ascot

Chemical Walfare fell at the last when in contention over fences last time off a 10lb higher mark so his chances are respected but I expect recent course and distance winner SPOT ON SOPH (best priced at 15/8) to follow up in this race. The Sam England trained mare has a good record at the track with form figures of 131 with her latest victory coming a conditional jockeys’ race. 

Spot On Soph won comfortably by 1 ¾ lengths off a mark of 100 and she gets to run here off the same mark despite being raised 6lbs by the handicapper for that victory. 

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This looks a competitive renewal of the King Edward VII Stakes and a chance is taken on THEORY OF TIDES (best priced at 14/1) who was supplemented for this race by connections. The John & Thady Gosden trained colt has only got a rating of 95 so the fact they are willing to risk that mark in preference for a shot at a Group 2 shows the confidence in his chances. 

Theory Of Tides won on his debut at Nottingham by ½ length before a really impressive win at Yarmouth under a penalty by 2 ¼ lengths. The stable has won this race three times with Plea Bargain, Nathaniel and Eagle Top and hopefully Theory Of Tides can run well with  

We have seen some big priced winners at the meeting so far and I am hoping MARKAKOL (best priced at 66/1) can be another. For the same connections as Charyn earlier this week, the three-year-old was highly tried following a victory at Newcastle last season. Running in two listed races and behind Big Evs in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes last season, he ended last year with a close 2nd at Newcastle in a novice race under a penalty. 

Connections have gelded Markakol over the winter and the fact they come straight here off a mark of 88 on his handicap takes my eye. Despite not appearing to have a bias this week so far, stall 24 is definitely not a negative and he could outrun his odds with up to seven places available. 

This looks a weak 0-68 handicap and it will be disappointing if WONDER KID (best priced at EVENS) doesn’t follow up his recent success. The Hugo Palmer trained three-year-old ran with credit on his three starts last year over a mile and was awarded an opening handicap mark of 70 as a result. Gelded over the winter, he was upped in trip to 1m4f on his handicap debut and stayed on strongly late on to win by a widening 4 ¾ lengths under Oisin Murphy.

The handicapper has raised Wonder Kid 11lbs for that victory so connections run here only eight days later under a 6lb penalty meaning he is 5lbs “well in” at the weights. He should be able to defy that penalty with Ross Coakley taking over on board.