Sunday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Gavin Cromwell had two winners at the Cheltenham festival earlier this week and REDSTONE (best priced at 11/4) is interesting on his handicap debut following two solid performances in maiden/novice hurdles. The six-year-old beat subsequent Grade 1 runner-up King Of Kingsfield by ½ length on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse and that rival is now rated 140. He was then sent off favourite to beat Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle runner-up Waterford Whispers last time but could only finish 6th.
Redstone has been given an opening mark of125 which could seriously underestimate him and he should prove hard to beat off top weight.
 

With an official rating of 111, ROCCOVANGO (best priced at 13/8) looks to hold strong claims in this maiden hurdle. The Olly Murphy trained eight-year-old finished a neck 2nd on his stable debut last time over 2 miles here when staying on strongly to challenge the favourite Nordic Tiger. That was on his handicap debut off a mark of 109 and the handicapper has raised him 2lbs for that effort.
With five runs over hurdles, Roccovango is the most experienced hurdler in this field and he should prove hard to beat in first time cheekpieces.
 

PRALOGNAN (best priced at 11/1) looks a stereotypical Tony Martin handicap plot with his rating over hurdles only 14lbs higher than his flat rating. The five-year-old finished well beaten in three maiden hurdles last season when sent off 200/1, 300/1 and 150/1 but showed much better form on the flat subsequently. He finished a neck 2nd at Roscommon off a mark of 80 before finishing 3rd beaten ¾ length in the Cork Derby off a mark of 79.
With an official rating of 93 over hurdles, Pralognan looks extremely well handicapped on his return to hurdling and should run well if coping with this 275 day break.
 

Loup De Maulde missed an engagement at Uttoxeter yesterday to come here so he has to be respected but I expect REGARDE (best priced at 11/4) to make amends for his fall last time. The Jamie Snowden trained seven-year-old won over this course and distance on his chasing debut in October off a mark of 94 before following up here over 2m4f on his next start off a mark of 100.
Regarde finished 3rd at Newcastle on his next start before falling at the 12th fence last time at Ffos Las. He has had over a month to recover from that and he should prove hard to beat in first time cheekpieces with Gavin Sheehan retaining the ride.
 

So Said I was an impressive 39 length winner last time at Lingfield but that was a weak contest and THOR DE CERISY (best priced at 2/1) is preferred. The Neil Mulholland trained ten-year-old would have won at Uttoxeter on his penultimate start before falling at the last when five lengths clear. He defied a 4lb rise to win over this course and distance last time by 4 ¾ lengths in impressive style.
The handicapper has raised Thor De Cerisy 8lbs for that success which is fair and he should be able to follow up if in the same form 22 days later.