Thursday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Letthedustsettle will no doubt prove popular in his bid for hat-trick but preference instead goes to the consistent CLASSIC MAESTRO (best priced at 5/2) who gained a much deserved victory last time. The Jennie Candlish trained six-year-old finished 2nd in a maiden hurdle at Hexham over 2m4f before finishing runner-up in two handicap hurdles at Newcastle and Uttoxeter off marks of 99.

Classic Maestro had been running well over trips of 2m4f and 2m6f but got off the mark last time when dropped to 2 miles on heavy ground at Uttoxeter. He won by 3 ½ lengths that day off a mark of 105 and should run well despite a 6lb rise from the handicapper in similar conditions.

The Tony Carroll trained TORTURED SOUL (best priced at 15/8) was unlucky to lose his unbeaten record on the AW last time and he should be able to bounce back over this course and distance. The four-year-old joined this yard from Ireland rated 49 when he won over this course and distance in December by a head. He followed up off only a 2lb higher mark at Wolverhampton over 1m4f on his next start before racing too keenly in the early stages over 1m5f last time at Lingfield.

Tortured Soul was only beaten ½ length in 3rd that day and he should be suited by this drop back down in trip to 1m3f. Clifford Lee, who rode him to victory over this curse and distance on his stable debut, is back on board and he should get back to winning ways.

This looks a weak 0-60 handicap and preference goes to SULLIVAN BAY (best priced at 11/8) who won over 1m5½f here on his handicap debut last time. The Gary Brown trained four-year-old showed very little in his two starts for Joseph O’Brien before pulling up behind Sir Gino over hurdles on his first start for this stable at Christmas. He ran as his odds of 250/1 suggested when 7th at Kempton on his start which meant he was given an opening mark of 55.

Sullivan Bay defied odds of 18/1 to win on his handicap debut last time staying on well over the 1m5½f trip shaping like this step up to 2 miles will suit. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that one length success which is fair and he is expected to follow up in this race.