Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Joseph Murphy trained Lord Massusus (best priced at 7/2) has won his previous two starts and he should hold strong claims of completing the hat-trick. The son of Markaz won by 2 ½ lengths at Listowel over a mile before following up over 6f at the Curragh last time by 1 ½ lengths.

Lord Massusus has an official rating of 95 which puts him only 1lb behind the favourite Montesilvano but he crucially comes into the race in form and is also proven on this softer surface. He steps back up in trip slightly to 7f and should prove hard to beat.

This looks a competitive 47-75 handicap but preference goes to Rotolo (best priced at 10/1) in first time cheekpieces. The three-year-old had shown very little in her first three starts when sent off 66/1, 150/1 and 150/1 but she put in a much improved performance last time over this course and distance on her handicap debut. She was sent of 14/1 and was only beaten ½ length off a mark of 64 on her first start over 1m2f.

The handicapper has raised Rotolo 2lbs for that run which is fair and it is interesting that connections now fit the daughter of Slade Power with first time cheekpieces for this race. With five places available she looks sure to run well.

The Barry Connell trained Low Style (best priced at 9/4) won easily on his handicap debut last time and he should hold strong claims despite a 13lbs higher mark. He was beaten 36, 63 and 68 lengths in maiden hurdles on his first three starts but won easily last time off an opening mark of 90 on his handicap debut. 

That was Low Style’s first run for 254 days where he won easily by 6 ½ lengths and he should hold strong claims of following up off a 13lb higher mark with Michael O’Sullivan claiming 5lbs.