Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Emma-Jane Bishop trained MASTER MALCOLM (best priced at 15/8) is the only horse who comes into this race following a victory last time and he should hold strong claims of a repeat win. The six-year-old has improved on his previous two starts since being fitted with blinkers with both of those performances coming over this course and distance. 

Master Malcolm finished 2nd in February off a mark of 91 before winning by 21 lengths last time off a mark of 92. The handicapper has raised him 8lbs for the victory but Harrison Beswick takes off 3lbs today to negate some of that rise. If he repeats his run from over course and distance last time then he should prove hard to beat. 

This looks a weak 80-95 handicap hurdle and I am willing to take a chance on BAL KAUTO (best priced at 8/1) on his stable debut. The six-year-old is well bred being out of a half-sister to Kauto Star and he has gradually dropped in the ratings this year having finished midfield despite being sent off big prices. 

Bal Kauto now switches from Turlough O’Connor to Declan Queally which is definitely a trainer upgrade and he looks worth taking a chance on off a mark of 81. 

Both Run Run Run and Desert Haven set the standard rated 83 but I think GRIGAL (13/2) can progress past both of them following an encouraging debut effort a year ago. The Richard Brabazon trained four-year-old outran odds of 66/1 to finish 2nd beaten only two lengths on her debut in June 2022 which came at this track over 6 ½ furlongs. 

Grigal has clearly had issues as this will only be her second start as a four-year-old but if she can run up to form of her debut following this break then she should be involved in the finish.