Classic winner returns from mammoth 969-day absence while 800,000gns breeze-up sale debuts for Godolphin - punting pointers for Tuesday

Punting pointers from some of today's race meetings . . .

Curragh

The Amateur Riders Derby (2.35) features the return of Classic winner Sonnyboyliston, who was last seen finishing second in Saudi Arabia in February 2022.

The seven-year-old makes his first start for Charles Byrnes, having previously landed the Ebor and the Irish St Leger for Johnny Murtagh in a memorable double back in 2021.

The winner of three of his six starts here, he has a huge 969-day absence to overcome for his new connections. He's reportedly set to go over hurdles so it will be intriguing to see how he fares.

The late Pat Smullen's 17-year-old son and namesake Paddy has his first ride under rules aboard the Dermot Weld-trained Grappa Nonino, having enjoyed a spin over course and distance when fourth in the charity race held in memory of his father in August.

This is his first ride since acquiring a licence proper, and the reappearance of the Smullen-Weld axis, which combined to win a pair of Irish Derbys with Grey Swallow and Harzand at Irish racing's headquarters, will be a poignant moment.

Chally Chute, for Mick Halford and Tracey Collins, is the one to beat despite struggling to get into contention in the Irish Cesarewitch last time. He was unlucky when going down by a short head in the Guinness Handicap at Galway off a mark of 98 in August and the winner advertised that form well when third at Leopardstown.

Sonnyboyliston14:35 Curragh

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Jky: Mr R W Barron (5lb)Tnr: C Byrnes

Exeter: Legacy out to defy long layoff

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have a fine recent record in the two most valuable races on Exeter's card, including the feature 3m handicap chase (4.28), which the stable won in 2021 with From The Heart. 

The pair are represented by topweight Masters Legacy, who made a successful chasing debut over course and distance in November 2022 and returns from a mammoth 606-day absence. The nine-year-old has had all three of his starts over fences at this track and takes on the likes of last year's Grimthorpe Chase winner Moroder, who was last seen finishing second at Cheltenham.

Hobbs has also won the 2m7f handicap hurdle twice (3.53) since 2018. High Game Royal and course winner Mad Mike make their reappearances in the contest, with the latter attempting to follow up his 25-length maiden hurdle victory at this venue in February on his first start in handicap company.

High Game Royal15:53 Exeter

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Jky: Ben Jones Tnr: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Mad Mike15:53 Exeter

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Jky: Sean Houlihan Tnr: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Masters Legacy16:28 Exeter

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Jky: Micheal Nolan Tnr: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Exeter: third bumper win for Beckett?

Leading Flat trainer Ralph Beckett won the three-year-old bumper at Exeter in 2021 and 2022, his only two runners over jumps in the last five seasons. He runs Gnomon (5.33) this time.

Gnomon17:33 Exeter

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Jky: Daryl Jacob Tnr: Ralph Beckett

Newcastle: Champ changes course to all-weather

Marhaba The Champ won a couple of decent pots at York last year and connections have opted to run the son of Galileo on the all-weather for the first time in Newcastle's feature 1m4½f handicap (4.15). 

The five-year-old is back down to same rating of 91 as when winning the £120,000 Sky Bet Handicap in August last year for Kevin Ryan. He was only beaten two lengths at Ayr last time.

Marhaba The Champ may not have the track experience of course-and-distance winner La Pulga but Ryan's son and assistant Adam said: "He's a horse who needs quick ground and we're obviously not going to get that at this time of year, so the all-weather is the right option for him.

"He's been a shade unlucky at times this year and he's down to a good mark again. He goes there in good order and should have a decent shout."

Marhaba The Champ16:15 Newcastle (A.W)

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Jky: Robert Havlin Tnr: Kevin Ryan

Yarmouth: Poste pinhook makes debut for Godolphin

The 800,000gns purchase who ensured that Charlie and Francesca Poste's first foray into the breeze-up market was a success has been named Corolla Point, who makes his debut in Yarmouth's 5f novice (2.30).

The son of Blue Point was pinhooked for €78,000 from the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale last year by the Postes before being sold for more than ten times that price to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin at the Craven Breeze-Up Sales in April. 

Out of Platinum Coast, the juvenile has been gelded since that notable result for the Postes, who had more typically been associated with producing point-to-pointers.

Dougie Costello is a notable booking from Charlie Appleby as he has ridden more winners for the Godolphin trainer than any other handler this season. The combination could enhance their 35 per cent strike-rate (8-23) this term on Corolla Point or newcomer Bright Future in the preceding race (1.55).

Corolla Point14:30 Yarmouth

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Jky: Dougie Costello Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Yarmouth: hot Haggas

A £1 stake on all 22 of William Haggas's runners at Yarmouth this season would have yielded a profit of £41.49. The trainer has the chance of adding to his seven winners at the Norfolk venue this term when saddling newcomer Alobayyah (1.55) and Another Abbot (2.30).

Alobayyah13:55 Yarmouth

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Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: William Haggas

Another Abbot14:30 Yarmouth

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Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: William Haggas

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