Sunday horse racing tips: Angus McNae’s best bets

Our presenter and Sunday columnist Angus McNae thinks four contenders are worth siding with on Sunday’s cards. Enjoy all of Punchestown and Kelso live on Racing TV.

We had a winner and three frustrating second places last week, so hopefully we can avoid the crossbar this week on the Sunday column and find the back of the net with these four selections.

2.12 Kelso: Cirque Royal

Cirque Royal was an easy winner at Perth last time and it’s a surprise that connections did not go for a novice handicap hurdle, but this easy option is worth taking before embarking on handicaps.

Cirque Royal was a useful 12-furlong performer with Charlie Appleby and was last seen on the Flat running in a handicap off a mark of 95. Now with Gerald Stephen Quinn, he showed that he retains plenty of ability when easily winning a maiden hurdle by 8½ lengths last time.

That flat track allowed this quick horse to show his speed, which is his main asset. He has a flat track again here and a fast surface, which means he ought to be too fast and classy for his rivals.

2.47 Kelso: Exit to Where

He looks sure to go well and should make amends for defeat last time.

This race looks tailor-made for Exit to Where on the back of his very good second at Ayr, when he was behind a well-treated and unexposed raider from Ireland but beat the other four in the race comprehensively.

This Class 4 contest looks to be easier than the Class 3 assignment he contested last time, while one of his two previous wins have come at this track. A mark of 110 should not be beyond him.

3.05 Punchestown: Marshalled

He looks well treated off a mark of 102 now he has returned to hurdling.

Marshalled is a decent chaser and won in that sphere at Wexford last October off a mark of 113. Given that he is just as effective over the smaller obstacles, it’s easy to infer that he is well in.

He also looks to be in good nick after his latest run at Downpatrick, shaping really well to finish third after a six-month lay-off. He seemed to get tired in the closing stages where the lack of a recent outing probably took its toll. He has had three weeks to get over those exertions and should therefore avoid the dreaded bounce.

He looks ready to win and my confidence would be even higher if he were strong in the market.

5.25 Punchestown: Pink in the Park

She has more ability than she has been able to show in her four starts so far and, after a short break, I think she can start to fulfil her potential here.

Pink in the Park is a strong-travelling type who travelled like the best horse in a slowly-run race at Fairyhouse two starts ago but flattened out late on to finish second. Last time, she was held up in a slowly-run race and was at a distinct positional disadvantage.

The key to her success could well be a strong pace and with plenty of runners here she may well get the gallop that her high cruising speed requires. It’s time for her to realise her potential and this could be the start of better things.