Sunday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

PENPAL (best priced at 13/2) was an impressive winner when we last saw him 243 days ago and he should hold strong claims off a 6lb higher mark. The Micky Hammond trained nine-year-old was winning following 375 days off the track last time so he is clearly a tricky horse to keep right. 

Penpal won impressively by 4 ¼ length on his first start after a wind operation showing that a lay-off isn’t an inconvenience to him. Emma Smith-Chaston takes off a handy 3lbs and he looks overpriced for a yard whose horses are running well at the moment.

Last time out winners Artic Row, Deep Charm and Duo D’Enfer are respected in this race but preference instead goes to MASSINI MAN (best priced at 4/1) who probably would have won over this course and distance when last seen. The Sandy Thomson trained eleven-year-old was staying on well when falling at the second last fence behind Red Happy who has gone on to win his next start and is now rated 10lbs higher. 

Massini Man gets to run here off the same mark of 110 and connections will have no doubt saved him since for this contest. Ryan Mania is once again on board and I expect him to prove hard to beat. 

The Willie Mullins trained LISNAGAR FORTUNE (best priced at 10/11) finished a short head behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Readin Tommy Wrong last time and he should prove hard to beat in this maiden hurdle. The six-year-old won his only bumper last season before finishing placed on his first two hurdling starts at Tramore and Cork over trips of 2m6f and 3m1f last season. 

Lisnagar Fortune seemed to relish the drop back in trip to 2 miles last time on his reappearance and a repeat performance of last time should be good enough to win this.