Steve Ryder's Thursday Racing Tips

The Paul O’Flynn trained Quarry Lil (best priced at 9/2) has a good record at Clonmel with three wins and she should come on for her recent reappearance run at Galway. The seven-year-old won three times last season including two at this course with her previous win coming by 3 ¾ lengths off a mark of 98.

The handicapper raised Quarry Lil 10lb for that victory up to a mark of 108 where she ran with credit to finish 5th beaten only five lengths. The mare appeared to be badly in need of her reappearance run at Galway where she could only finish 8th and I expect her to run well here under her regular rider G Noonan who once again claims 7lb.

The form of Hannibal Barca (best priced at 7/2) could receive a noteworthy boost in the opener if Wanees can follow up his Ascot success under a penalty in the 1:50. The Brian Meehan trained colt was a well supported 4/1 shot on his debut where he stayed on well over 7f on good to firm ground to finish a never nearer 1 ¼ length 3rd.

The son of Zoffany should have no problem on the forecast soft ground and I prefer his chances to Wodeton who was a beaten favourite at Sandown on his debut. Hannibal Barca is expected to come on for his debut run and it seems significant that connections still have him entered in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at the end of the season. 

The Garvan Donnelly trained Earls (best priced at 11/1) meets Is That Love on more favourable terms than at Listowel a week ago and he is the selection to reverse that form at the prices. The four-year-old won three times last season including off a mark of 71 in November and looks well handicapped off the same mark.

Earls finished only 1 ½ lengths behind Is That Love last time and that rival now has to shoulder a 6lb penalty for that success whereas Earls can run off his old mark which makes him 1lb “well in” at the weights. Wayne Lordan retains the ride and I expect him to run well with four places available.