Andy Holding's Thursday Horse Racing Tips

In a race that should turn out to be dominated by the two recent big speed figure horses, WAITING PATIENTLY (best price 5-4) gains the narrow vote over Ash Park. A useful novice hurdler when trained by Keith Reveley, the Flemensfirth gelding made the perfect start to his chasing career for new connections when hitting the ball out of the park on the numbers at Sedgefield 16 days ago. Always travelling and jumping well, Malcolm Jefferson’s charge readily pulled clear of the front-running Burtons Well in the closing stages and he looks a novice of some repute based on that initial performance. Ash Park did very little wrong on his chase debut in a race which is working out exceptionally well at Carlisle (third and fourth won since) and likely to more switched on as to what is required this time around, he rates the obvious danger to the favourite.

Straight off the back of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, DINGO DOLLAR (best price 8-1) would be a very apt winner five days after the curtain closed on the antics in the jungle, but unlike Kiosk Keith (total legend), there’s a decent chance followers of Alan King’s charge might end up with a smile on their face. Having been impressive in his sole point-to-point outing, big things were expected from the son of Golden Lariet on his hurdling debut at Bangor and although he failed to deliver the goods on that occasion, he did more than enough to suggest the money in his direction that day was only lent. The way he went through that contest at the North Wales track indicated he’s a horse of some promise and given that the winner that day, Lough Derg Leader has followed up since, the form looks fairly solid.

WINNING SPARK (NAP) (best price 7-2) made an encouraging start to his campaign when finishing a creditable second to the well-handicapped Brelan D’as at Wincanton (fast time) and given that he’s likely to be much sharper for the run, Jackie Du Plessis’s charge makes plenty of appeal at a track where he’s gone really well in the past. Although most of his best form came on a soft surface last season, he has also gone well on a faster terrain and with his cruising speed always likely to ensure he gets towards the business of a race fairly comfortably, the son of Theatrical rates a rattling good each-way bet with all eight runners set to go to post.

Supporters of CHEVALLIER (best price 5-1) were dealt a painful blow here last time when Archie Watson’s charge was denied a clear run going well in the home straight, so he has to be worth another chance to put matters straight in this similar contest a week on. Seemingly going well turning for home seven day ago, the son of Invincible Spirit ran into a wall of horses dropping back into his lap and while the eventual winner, Qaffaal, skipped merrily over the horizon, the four-year-old was left chasing shadows once out into the clear. He did, however, finish off his race to suggest there was plenty left in the tank and he should, at least, give another solid account for his in-form rookie handler.