Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Jim Boyle trained MARLAY PARK (best priced at 13/2) has a brilliant record at Epsom in his career so far with form figures of 2213215 at the track. The four-year-old won this race by 2 ½ lengths off a mark of 74 last season before finishing only ½ length behind Sir Oliver later that month off a mark of 80. He showed a fantastic attitude to win by a short head over this course and distance earlier this season off a mark of 78 before finishing 5th by two lengths last time off a mark of 79. 

The handicapper has dropped Marlay Park 1lb for that effort down to a mark of 78 which is the same mark as when victorious over this course and distance earlier this season. Connections have booked Harry Davies to take off a valuable 3lbs and I expect him to run well with up to four places available. 

The Sheena West trained SLY MADAM (best priced at 15/8) won over this course and distance last time and she should hold strong claims under a 5lb penalty. The four-year-old put in an impressive performance to win by four lengths under William Carver and the pair should be well suited by this race once again. 

The handicapper has raised Sly Madam 9lbs for that victory so she runs here 4lbs “well in” under a 5lb penalty and I expect her to prove hard to beat. 

The Michael Mullineaux trained SHESADABBER (best priced at 10/3) has a good record over this course and distance with form figures of 4142 including a close 2nd last time off this mark nine days ago. The six-year-old won over this course and distance earlier this season off a mark of 49 before finishing 2nd on her previous two starts off marks of 53 and 54.

Shesadabber coped well with the soft ground on her penultimate start so any more rain wouldn’t be a concern and she runs here 3lbs “well in” at the weights following her close 2nd over this course and distance last time. Regular rider Phil Dennis is on board and I expect the pair to prove hard to beat.

I feel it is worth taking a chance on the Lee Smyth trained SILVER NEMO (best priced at 33/1) in this race as he looks extremely well handicapped based on his rating on the AW. The four-year-old had a good record on the AW when trained by Shaun Keightley in the UK where he is rated 59. He instead runs here off a mark of 47 but the beach surface at Laytown should ride more like the AW than on turf. 

There is no doubt that Silver Nemo is struggling for recent form since joining his new yard but he has led for most of his starts over a mile before weakening late on. He drops back to 6f here which should suit and he also gets the assistance of good 5lb claimer Siobhan Rutledge. With up to four places available I think he is worth taking a chance on at 33/1. 

The Kevin Frost trained INFINITI (best priced at 7/2) has won all four starts under Aiden Brookes and I expect the pair to prove hard to beat once again in this race. The nine-year-old mare won at Wetherby, Nottingham and Chepstow in June before finishing 2nd at Doncaster when ridden by amateur jockey Dr Misha Voikhansky instead. She got back to winning ways last time at Ripon with Aiden Brookes back on board winning by 3 ½ lengths off a mark of 56. 

The handicapper has raised Infiniti 7lbs for that victory but she instead runs here under a 4lb penalty making her 3lbs “well in” at the weights and I expect her to prove hard to beat.