Andy Holding's Friday Horse Racing Tips

Backing seemingly unlucky losers is normally a one-way ticket to the poorhouse, but in the case of FORT WORTH (best price 3-1), he can hopefully buck that trend following his untimely exit at the third last at Taunton last time out. In a race run at a strong pace throughout, Jonjo O’Neill’s inmate seemed to have matters in control turning for home at the West Country venue, but unfortunately he jumped into the back of a tiring rival and he slithered to the ground, leaving his supporters with the feeling of what might have been. Clearly well handicapped off a mark of 123 on the evidence of that display, the son of Presenting looks to have been found the ideal opportunity to gain compensation and he can finally break his duck over fences with conditions to suit.

MOVIE LEGEND (best price 7-1) was entitled to get a bit tired on his first start for 216 days at Towcester last time out and he has the necessary qualities to go close in a race of a similar standard if building on that initial outing. Having his first run for new connections since leaving Ben Case, the son of Midnight Legend looked as though he was going to make an immediate impact for the Lucy Wadham stable, but the combination of lack of a previous run and the powerful late surge of the well-fancied Lord Of The Hill meant he had to settle for a minor role. That said, the time figure of the race suggests it was a decent one of its kind and hailing from a yard that has a useful strike rate at today’s venue (+£32.00 to a £1 stake), he’s fancied to add to that impressive tally.

If the time figure is anything to go by, the race won by Purple Rock here a month ago is a race worth following, so with that in mind, AGE OF ELEGANCE (best price 7-1) and SPES NOSTRA (best price 8-1) are taken against the field. The former did really well to last as long as he did considering he pressed a hot pace from an un-favourable high draw and given that he’d run well behind the progressive Ajman Prince over tonight’s C&D the time before, there’s every reason to feel upbeat about his chance from a much better trap position. The latter, having his first outing on this newly-laid surface was one of the chief sufferers down the straight when seemingly going well and having won off higher marks in the past, the son of Ad Valorem could easily figure prominently hailing from an in-form stable.

In what looks a race chocked full of untapped potential, PINGSHOU (best price 10-1) is taken to build on his promising effort at Newbury last time out and keep the fine run going for his in-form barn. Having his first outing for 700 days since leaving Henry De Bromhead, the Definite Article gelding impressed by the way he travelled before keeping on stoically in the latter stages to finish a close-up fourth behind the very smart hurdling recruit, Jenkins, and with the time figure suggesting it a was a strong contest, a performance of a similar standard should see Colin Tizzard’s charge bang in the mix over a course that should suit.

It seems that every winter campaign at this venue, Micky Halford has a rapidly-improving handicapper (Russain Soul, Rummaging and Hat Alnaser just a few to mention in recent years) and in the shape of CHESTNUT FIRE (best price 5-2), the Co Kildare handler has another cab straight off the rank. Often ravaged by bad luck on the turf, the son of Showcasing appears to be a totally different proposition on an all-weather surface and there still seems to be some mileage left in the four-year-old based on his last two victories over tonight’s C&D. Although not overly impressive on the first of those successes, his latest performance, however, points heavily towards him being the best miler seen at the track this campaign. Held up out the back as usual 30 days ago, the way he picked off his rivals in the later stages indicates he’s full of confidence at present, and with his speed figures and sectional times backing up the visual impression of his performances, the in-form chestnut can complete the hat trick.

FOX DREAM (NAP) (best price 11-2) had no right to finish as close up as she did in a race that holds the key to the outcome of tonight’s contest, and she rates a cracking good each-way bet at the early morning prices based on the evidence of that tremendous performance 28 days ago. Dropped out early by design thanks to a poor high draw (13 of 13), Augustine Leahy’s charge not only found herself at the back of the field after a furlong, but a sudden spook out to the right also cost her even more valuable lengths on her rivals swinging out of the back straight. Finding herself in an impossible position turning for home, the daughter of Foxwedge somehow managed to drag herself into the business end of the race, so much so, she was gaining hand over fist on the main protagonists as the line approached. Given how events conspired against her that evening, it was a truly Herculean effort by the three-year-old filly and having already proven she’s better over 7f courtesy of a victory at Listowel back in June (dead-heat), she looks booked to go well back up in trip from her more favoured inside draw.