Thursday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Recent course and distance winner Tourist is respected but DARING LEGEND (best priced at 6/4) is expected to complete the hat-trick from 6lbs “well in” at the weights. The Mick Appleby trained three-year-old won at Newbury by a neck off a mark of 76 before following up at Yarmouth last time by two lengths in an apprentice handicap off a mark of 78.

The handicapper has raised Daring Legend 6lbs for that victory but he can run here unpenalised so he once again runs here off a mark of 78 and as a result should prove hard to beat in this race. 

Financer looks a progressive three-year-old and is on a hat-trick but preference instead goes to EMPIRE OF LIGHT (best priced at 5/1) who has shown improved form on his latest two starts. The Grant Tuer trained gelding returned from a short break to defy odds of 28/1 by winning at Haydock a month ago off a mark of 66. 

Empire Of Light then finished a neck 2nd at Ayr 10 days ago off a mark of 71 and gets to run here off the same mark despite the handicapper raising him 4lbs for that run. Harrison Shaw is once again on board and he can hopefully go one better than last time. 

The well bred SAMOON STAR (best priced at 6/4) got off the mark last time on her handicap debut and she should hold strong claims here off only a 3lb higher mark. The Hughie Morrison trained filly is by Dubawi out of the Oaks runner-up Shirocco Star so connections would have been disappointing with her first three runs where she finished no better than seventh. As a result she was given an opening mark of 60 and she made stylish headway to win at Leicester on her handicap debut by ½ length. 
Samoon Star was more dominant than that winning margin suggests so this 3lb rise should underestimate her and she is expected to follow up in this race. 
 

This looks a competitive 0-75 handicap but a chance is taken on last year’s winner LENNY’S SPIRIT (best priced at 11/1) who is fitted with first time cheekpieces in this race. The Ed Dunlop trained six-year-old won this race last season off a mark of 68 under Sophie Smith before following up at Haydock a month later off a 2lb higher mark. He has gradually dropped back down the ratings from 73 down to 68 and connections now fit him with first time cheekpieces in this race.
With bookmakers offering four places on this race, Lenny’s Spirit is expected to show improved form back down at this mark of 68 and he should run well. 
 

6:50 Leopardstown- Surpass 15/8 (1pt)

Aidan O’Brien has won the Tyros Stakes a record 16 times and without Donnacha O’Brien winning this for Coolmore in 2022, he would have won this for the past 10 years in a row. The trainer runs both Swagman and SURPASS (best priced at 15/8) in it this year with Ryan Moore choosing to ride the unbeaten Saxon Warrior colt. He won by a neck at Tipperary on soft ground on his debut before following up over the same course and distance by three lengths earlier this month. 

Both Beckman and Scorthy Champ are respected following their debut successes but it will be disappointing if Surpass couldn’t make it 3/3 under Ryan Moore.