Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

SANDYMAN (best priced at 10/1) has an interesting profile on his handicap debut over hurdles and looks worth taking a chance on at the prices. The seven-year-old showed very little in his 12 starts for James McAuley where he was sent off 100/1, 200/1 and 200/1 in three maiden hurdles including one behind Facile Vega at Fairyhouse. 

Sandyman has since been purchased by John McConnell and is now interesting on his stable debut off an opening mark of 92 over hurdles. He was previously rated as high as 83 on the flat earlier in his career so he could prove well handicapped and he is interesting with Simon Torrens booked. 

This looks a weak Mares Handicap Hurdle so a chance is taken on LIGHTHOUSE ROSE (best priced at 12/1) in first time blinkers in a race she has won for the previous two seasons. The Mark McNiff trained eight-year-old won this race in 2021 off a mark of 99 by 8 ½ lengths before repeating that victory last season off a mark of 108. 

Lighthouse Rose runs in the race this year off a mark of 106 so she is well handicapped again and it seems significant that connections have saved the application of blinkers for this race. 

Primeval is respected in receipt of 5lb from ALPHA ZULU (best priced at 3/1) but at the prices the latter looks worth backing. The James Ferguson trained colt finished a close 2nd at Newcastle on his debut behind the more experienced Hello Queen who has since won a competitive Doncaster handicap and is now rated 83. He got off the mark on his next start at Kempton when he beat Peony by 1 ½ lengths and that rival won her next two starts and is now rated 81. 

Alpha Zulu has had a wind operation since his latest run 137 days ago but remains a colt full of potential and I think he should be a lot closer to Doncaster winner Primeval in the betting.  

Connections of BELLA BLUE EYES (best priced at 11/4) clearly expect her to prove better than a mark of 88 given her group entries and she is expected to complete of hat-trick of wins. The Paddy Twomey trained filly has run well on all four of her career starts but got off the mark on her penultimate start at Leopardstown by ½ length. She beat the 92 rated Nation’s Call at Killarney a month ago in receipt of 4lbs and she looks well handicapped here off a mark of 88.

Bella Blue Eyes is entered in a Group 3 at the Curragh at the end of the month as well as in the Group 1 Matron Stakes in September so connections clearly expect her to prove up to that level and she is expected to win this handicap. 

With the absence of Premiership in this race, I am willing to take a chance on On SABBATICAL (best priced at 11/1) on his handicap debut. The Michael & David Easterby trained gelding has finished well beaten on his first three career starts over 7f and a mile but is now interesting making his handicap debut off a lowly opening mark of 47.

On Sabbatical steps up in trip to 1m2f for the first time on his handicap debut as well as being fitted with a first time visor. Joanna Mason looks a good booking with him only carrying 8st7lbs and I expect to see great improvement from him.