Russell’s Ryalex ready to follow up Carlisle romp

RACING: Milnathort trainer’s sevenyear-old can take 7lb penalty in his stride

Lucinda Russell has RYALEX ready to go again in Market Rasen’s FMCG Executive Network Handicap Chase after his Carlisle romp 10 days ago.

The seven-year-old carries a 7lb penalty, but such was the ease of his belated first victory under rules it is hard to believe he will not be able to defy that and plenty more in future for the Milnathort handler.

STARGAZER can put the record straight with victory in the Play 4Toscore At Betway Handicap at Newcastle.

Trained by Phil Kirby, the former Sir Michael Stoute inmate got his head in front on the Tapeta track here in March, when passing the post first in a valuable handicap, only for the stewards to intervene.

The five-year-old drifting to his left was ruled by the local officials to have been enough to deny Island Brave victory in a race decided by a nose.

Whether that was the right call can be debated, because a loose horse made things difficult for rider Kevin Stott, who was himself momentarily hampered and the feeling is he would have been a clear winner otherwise.

That run came on the back of Stargazer’s most promising first run for Kirby when second here over two and a bit miles and while three outings on turf since have not gone as might have been hoped, he ought to be cherry ripe for what is another decent prize.

First place of just over £16,000 will not completely ease the pain of that contest earlier in the year – which was worth just shy of £55,000 to the winner – but it will not go amiss. SELECTIONS: MARKET RASEN: 12.25 The Big Bite, 12.55 Keep The River, 1.25 Jersey Bean, 2.00 Lisdoonvarna Lad, 2.35 Ryalex, 3.05 Hope’s Wishes, 3.40 I’m Wiser Now.

NEWCASTLE: 1.20 STARGAZER (NAP), 1.55 Echo, 2.25 Call Me Madam, 2.55 Jalmoud, 3.30 Big Kitten, 4.05 Sunset Flash, 4.35 Orion’s Bow, 5.05 Rocket Action.

DOUBLE: Stargazer and Ryalex.

Lucinda Russell: trains Ryalex.