Sunday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Tony Carroll trained NEPTUNE LEGEND (best priced at 4/1) had plummeted from a rating of 83 to 47 for his new trainer without success but bounced back to form with a victory over this course and distance last time when fitted with first time blinkers. The four-year-old gelding was also stepping up in trip to a mile for the first time in his career so the combination of the two different factors means he is unexposed despite having those 30 runs.

The handicapper has raised Neptune Legend 5lbs for that success which is fair and he is expected to run well with William Carson retaining the ride.

Johnnywho is an exciting prospect for this season but with the Jonjo O’Neill stable currently operating at a 4% strike rate in the previous two weeks, it may be worth taking a chance on WHISTLE STOP TOUR (best priced at 15/8) with the benefit of race fitness on his side. The Lucinda Russell trained five-year-old was an impressive 18 length winner on his hurdling debut last time at Hexham on soft ground over a 2 mile trip.

Whistle Stop Tour has to shoulder a 7lb penalty for that success but this previous PTP winner should be suited by this step up in trip to 2m4f and I expect him to prove hard to beat in what looks like a match race between the two.

Group 1 winner HELVIC DREAM (best priced at 7/2) was a comfortable winner of the Amateur Derby on Tuesday and he should prove hard to beat if coping with this 1m4f trip. The Noel Meade trained gelding won the Tattersalls Gold Cup in 2021 beating Broome by a short head and he ran well over 1m2f here when 3rd in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes despite being sent off an unfancied 22/1.

Despite winning over 1m4f here on Tuesday, his stamina is still a slight question mark but if he runs up to his rating of 105 then he should have strong claims of upsetting the favourite Hans Andersen.