Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The market seems to be underestimating the chances of GREAT MAX (best priced at 50/1) based on his juvenile form for Michael Bell last season. The son of Wootton Bassett made a winning debut at Newbury last year before finishing behind Point Lonsdale in the Chesham Stakes, Native Trail in both the Superlative Stakes and National Stakes and Reach For The Moon in the Solario Stakes at Sandown before disappointing at the Breeders Cup behind Modern Games. 

All of those rivals look classic contenders this season so finishing within a few lengths of them is no disgrace and his price seems to be as a result of a below par reappearance last month. Amo Racing have moved the colt from Michael Bell to Michael O’Callaghan so it is possible that Great Max just needed his reappearance run and he is worth taking a chance on in this race at a big price. 

The Jessie Harrington trained REAL APPEAL (best priced at 11/2) has a good record at Leopardstown with form figures of 31131 including a course and distance victory last season in the Group 2 Boomerang Mile when he beat Fev Rover by ½ length. The five-year-old carries a Group 2 penalty for that success in this race but he should still hold strong claims in this race as he is top rated with a rating of 112. 

Real Appeal has to concede race-fitness to his main market rivals in this race but the gelding did make a winning reappearance last season so that shouldn’t be a concern and I expect him to run well in this Group 3 Amethyst Stakes. 

The Sheila Lavery trained MORACANA (best priced at 4/1) is another horse with a good record at Leopardstown and I expect the filly to be involved in the finish if she is in the same form as her course and distance win on her reappearance. The four-year-old won a maiden over this course and distance on her final start last season under Robbie Colgan before making a winning reappearance on her handicap debut over this course and distance 32 days ago.

The handicapper has raised Moracana 8lbs for her 1 length success last time which seems a bit harsh but she won it in the style of an improving filly. The lightly raced four-year-old goes up in class in this race but I expect her to run well with five places on offer.