Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's action, two from Ayr and one running at Leopardstown.
13:15 Ayr
The Tom Lacey trained Sebastopol (best priced at 9/4) finally put it all together over fences last time at Kempton and he should hold strong claims of following up off an 8lb higher mark. The eight-year-old had previously finished 2nd seven times in a row in 2021 before falling at the last at Kempton in November when three lengths clear.
Connections fitted Sebastopol with a first time visor on his latest start at Kempton and he jumped a lot better (apart from a mistake at the last) to win by 6 ½ lengths. The second Golden Boy Grey has won on his next start at Ascot by 2 ¾ lengths so the form looks strong and I expect Sebastopol to prove hard to beat.
14:00 Leopardstown
The Joseph O’Brien trained Point Gellibrand (best priced at 15/8) was a NR when I tipped him earlier this week but connections look to have found him an easier race on his reappearance. The son of Camelot was unlucky not to make a winning debut at the Curragh last season where he didn’t get a clear run before running on strongly to finish beaten by only a short head.
The form of that race is working out well with the winner Atomic Jones winning a Group 2 on his next start and the third finishing a nose 2nd in a maiden on his next start. Connections ran Point Gellibrand in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes on his next start but he failed to get involved and he will appreciate this drop down in class. The step up in trip to a mile for the first time should suit and I expect him to prove hard to beat.
14:25 Alqamar
The ex-Godolphin owned gelding Alqamar (best priced at 14/1) has shown really good form over hurdles since joining the Jimmy Moffatt stable and he looks worth of this step up in class. The eight-year-old won four races in a row in 2021 following over two years off the track and was still travlling well when unseating Charlotte Jones 4 out at Wetherby in October.
The 2nd that day Tommy’s Oscar went on a winning sequence after that race and is now rated 16lbs higher so a mark of 132 looks as if it could underestimate Alqamar. He will relish this ground, has been kept fresh for this race and should run well with up to four places available.
