Horse racing tips: Roi De France can prove king

This point winner and expensive £90k purchase looks set to progress after achieving a lowly handicap mark.Youdecide had made little show at big prices in three novice hurdles prior to his latest start but that handicap debut was a different story, backed into favouritism at in a similar 0-95 grade and coming good in no uncertain terms by beating Buckaroo by a comfortable four lengths. The step up to this trip clearly helped, too.Buckaroo is 5lb better off now which should make things closer, but I will be disappointed if Ben Pauling’s gelding cannot confirm the form here.

The lightly-raced Roi De France may have been a little difficult to train judging by the periodic breaks he has had, but he seems to have no problem returning fresh and well from a break and he returns here after putting up possibly his best ever performance over this course last December. That was a runner-up effort in Listed company but Roi De France returns to a handicap here, while the drop down in trip is a minor concern. With habitual slow starters drawn on his inside, I suspect the Gosden-trained four-year-old might well get the lead and make this seven furlongs a strong test to suit him. Roi De France looks set for a good season and might soon be out of handicap company.