Monday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Postileo was a 106 rated flat horse for Roger Varian who is interesting making his hurdling debut for Emmet Mullins but the standard in this race is set by RATH GAUL BOY (best priced at 11/10). The Willie Mullins trained seven-year-old won a PTP by eight lengths before winning a Leopardstown bumper by six lengths on his stable debut. He was beaten in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree before chasing home A Dream To Share on his next two starts including in the Grade 1 at Punchestown behind the likes of Tullyhill and King Of Kingsfield.

Rath Gaul Boy finished 2nd on his hurdling debut at Galway in August over an inadequate 2m1f shaping like this step up to 2m4f will suit him well. He is returning from 212 days off the track but he is expected to get off the mark at the second attempt.

The Gavin Cromwell trained MALINA GIRL (best priced at 6/4) has Grand National aspirations next month but off a 31lb lower mark over hurdles, she should prove hard to beat. The seven-year-old won a Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham off a mark of 135 in November before finishing 2nd off a mark of 146 at Exeter last time behind the impressive Carole’s Pass.

Although Malina Girl was beaten off this mark on her reappearance over hurdles, she is now race fit and should prove hard to beat with Conor Stone-Walsh taking off a handy 5lbs.  

Joker Du Chenet is interesting on his stable debut for James Owen but SAMAZUL (best priced at 5/4) should prove hard to beat on his handicap debut. The Ben Pauling yard remain in fantastic form (27% strike rate) and this six-year-old now returns from 41 days off the track following a wind operation and a first time tongue tie.

Samazul finished well beaten in strong maiden hurdles at Exeter and Newbury including when behind the high class Gidleigh Park but as a result he has been given an opening mark of 98. He should prove much better than that mark and he is expected to get off the mark over hurdles back at a track where he won a bumper by three lengths.