Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

BECKWITH PLACE (best price 6-1) hasn’t won for well over a year now, but he’s certainly been knocking at the door of late and safe with the knowledge that he tends to save most of his best efforts for today’s track, Tracey Collins’ gelding is expected to be rewarded in some way for his endeavours.

Third on his first outing at the Co Kildare venue back in May 2019, the son of Mastercraftsman has subsequently posted finishing positions of 224 in three further visits, and with the latter of those performances coming in a better race than today’s 26 days ago, a slight ease in grade might just be the welcome relief he requires. That said, it’s worth pointing out that he did manage to finish ahead of those drawn towards the unfavourable nearside of the track and having also gone particularly well on heavy ground in the past, this strong, imposing five-year-old looks booked to put up another solid display.

Potentially, some useful fillies on show in this above-average-looking maiden and having caught the eye here on debut SPLIT PASSION (best price 7-4) is given the vote to build on that hugely promising effort.

Drawn widest of all 28 days ago, Ger Lyons’ was dropped in and given plenty of time to find her feet in the early stages but, as a result, it meant she ended up turning for home in last place. Staying on strongly from that juncture, the daughter of Fascinating Rock ticked off one rival after another so by the line, she’d only got two ahead of her – including the 93-rated winner Allagar. Based on that initial display, it’s clear this filly has plenty of natural talent and now draw more favourably on her return visit, a cleaner break and better early track position should result in a more positive end product.

Ado McGuinness has enjoyed a tremendous season with a series of terrific results from all points of the compass and he looks to have a stranglehold on this listed prize sending both LAUGH A MINUTE (best price 4-1) and one of his newest acquisitions, Harry’s Bar, to post with leading claims.

Despite the strong possibility Harry’s Bar could prove to be an instant hit at the Co Lough venue, the latter does at least already have confirmed form at the track and his overall profile strongly suggests nowadays that an all-weather surface might suit him best. As per usually, he was slightly tardy leaving the gates here last week, which left him with plenty to find at halfway, but to his great credit he came home to such an effect he managed to finish on the coat tails of the main players. Indeed, had he obtained a clear run down the straight, there’s a distinct possibility he would have won, so armed with that theory, he makes plenty of appeal as a strong each-way alternative to his stable mate.

A cracking renewal of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and there looks to be a very strong representation from the European contingent with the likes of NEW MANDATE (best price 13-2), Battleground, Cadillac, Sealiway and Go Athletico all showing top-class form throughout the season.

The first thing to point out is Keenland is a very sharp track, so you will need a well-balanced sort with plenty of pace to hold their position going into the first corner and Ralph Beckett’s gelding certainly appears to have those traits in abundance. The way he travelled before quickening to seal the deal in the listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster (very fast time figure) marked him down as a rapidly-improving two-year-old and he duly went on to prove that winning effort was no fluke with an equally resounding success in the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket. A keen goer with sharp turn of foot at the business end, the son of New Bay has posted the kind of speed figures and closing sectionals to suggest he has many strings to his bow and being as though he’s already had to resort to the unkindest cut of all, one has the feeling today will be his 2000 Guineas and will have geared up accordingly.