Goodwood free racing tips: Testing conditions tailor-made for soft-ground specialist

17:20 Goodwood: William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap (1 mile)

Racingbreaks Ryder has produced several very solid efforts in recent weeks, the most recent of which saw him beaten for finishing speed over the shorter seven-furlong trip at Thirsk last month, but he still ran a decent fourth of 11 in 0-82 company, so he comes here in good shape.

He hasn’t enjoyed genuinely soft ground all year, so this could be his day because three of his four career wins have come on soft ground, while the same amount have also come over a mile, including over a soft-ground mile at Brighton, so these conditions will suit nicely.

Notably, his last win came up in Class 2 company when he made every yard to land a seven-furlong soft-ground handicap at Ascot, so he is better class than this when he gets his conditions, and he has the inside berth today, should forward tactics again be applied.

Best Bet : Racingbreaks Ryder each-way in the 17:20 at Goodwood

It looks significant that Jim Crowley is recalled today because the capable jockey hasn’t ridden him since this time two years ago when the partnership landed a novices’ stakes over a soft-ground mile at Brighton.

Following two placed efforts in higher-graded Class 3 handicaps from his last four runs (both times off a higher mark than this), Racingbreaks Ryder looks a good bet to come good in this lower-tier Class 4 on the first occasion this year that he can enjoy his preferred soft ground.

Elsewhere, it’s no surprise to see Magic Memories at the head of the early market as he takes a significant drop in grade after running within a couple of lengths of Rhoscolyn (the top weight in the Class 2 that precedes this) in a Class 2 handicap over this course and distance last month.

That race took place on heavy ground and this four-year-old’s last two wins were also achieved over a mile on soft ground, the most recent of them off just a pound lower than today’s mark in a 0-84 at York in June.

He is clearly handicapped to strike again soon and these conditions suit, so he is a big player from a handy draw in stall 3.

Next Best Bet: Magic memories each-way in the 17:20 at Goodwood

• Preview and tips provided Steve Jones, who runs CD Systems Daily Bargain on Tipstrr