Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Maxxum (best priced at 13/8) finished a close 2nd on his stable debut for Gordon Elliott last time and he should hold strong claims off a 4lb higher mark. The five-year-old had previously shown good form for Eugene O’Sullivan including a maiden hurdle win at Clonmel before putting in a career best performance on his stable debut last time.

Maxxum finished only half a length behind Gaius at Punchestown and that rival has since boosted the form with a victory at Sligo and a 3rd at Clonmel which has meant that he is now rated 14lbs higher. Therefore, Maxxum looks leniently treated off a 4lb higher mark and I expect him to go one better than his reappearance run.

With question marks over the top two in the market Bob Olinger (final run last season) and Flooring Porter (trip) I think it is worth taking a chance on Zanahiyr (best priced at 11/4) who could progress this season over longer trips. The Gordon Elliott trained five-year-old was a high class juvenile hurdler who progressed well last season to finish 2nd in three Grade 1s over 2 miles behind Sharjah (twice) and Honeysuckle before finishing 3rd in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Connections decided to step Zanahiyr up to trip to 2m4f for the Aintree Hurdle where he was well backed into 15/8 favourite. He was being strongly pressed by the winner Epatante when falling at the last but the race was definitely not over. He has won on his reappearance on his previous two seasons including an impressive 8 length victory in the WKD hurdle last year and I expect him to continue the good early season form of Gordon Elliott.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained I Like To Move It (best priced at 8/1) won twice over this course and distance in his novice campaign and he should hold strong claims in this valuable early season handicap. The five-year-old made a winning reappearance last season by 3 ¼ lengths at Worcester before following up here on his next two starts including in the Grade 2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle in November.

I Like To Move It finished only a short head behind Glory And Fortune in the Betfair Hurdle off a mark of 138 before being ridden too prominently in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on his final start last season. He could still have a few pounds in hand this season off a mark of 142 and he is expected to run well with five places on offer.