Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Angel De Luz has been well supported for this race despite being 9lbs out of the handicap and preference instead goes to GOLDEN MAVERICK (best priced at 10/3). The Ian Williams trained three-year-old stepped up from three average efforts in maiden/novice races to finish a close 3rd on his handicap debut at Southwell earlier this month.

Golden Maverick was only beaten ¾ length that day on his first start over a mile and he gets to race here off the same mark. William Buick takes over on board for the first time and hopefully he can get off the mark in this race.

William Haggas has a fantastic record at Musselburgh in his career with 33 winners from 95 runners (35% strike rate) and MYSTIC PEARL (best priced at 10/3) should hold strong claims in this race. The unexposed three-year-old get off the mark at Thirsk in September and has gone close in both of handicap starts since. He was only beaten ¾ length at Newmarket on his final start last season off a mark of 77 before finishing 2nd by ½ length on his reappearance this season at Southwell.

Mystic Pearl runs here off the same mark of 78 which seems lenient and I expect him to get back to winning ways in this race.

This looks a really competitive 0-80 handicap but preference goes to the consistent course and distance winner ARRANGE (best priced at 8/1). The Martin Todhunter trained five-year-old has form figures of 224132 for this yard including a victory over this course and distance in August off a mark of 70. She won by 7 ½ lengths that day earning herself a 10lb rise from the handicapper and she has run well to place since off marks of 80 and 79.

Arrange has a good record fresh so this return from 227 days off the track isn’t a concern and she should run well with five places on offer.