Andy Holding's Saturday Horse Racing Tips

BARYE (bet price 15-8) was in terrific heart this time last year and following an eye-catching performance at Wolverhampton last time out, Richard Hughes’ charge has a sporting chance of landing this race for the second season in a row. In a slowly-run tactical affair at the Dunstall Park venue, the Archipenko gelding stayed on best of all in the latter stages (22.0 for last 2f) to finish a never-nearer fifth behind all-the-way winner Watersmeet, and now returning to his optimum conditions – 1m 4f at this track –the five-year-old should be capable of a more positive display.

Like he did on his first outing last season, DOCTOR PHOENIX (best price 6-1) shape as though he badly needed the run on his opening salvo at Wetherby and with that all-important run under his belt, he can go some way to enhancing his fine record at today’s track. A two-time winner over fences last season, including one over today’s C&D, David Dennis’ charge left the impression at the Yorkshire venue he should be in for another productive campaign and if it wasn’t for a couple of notable errors that day, he may have got off to the perfect start. Likely to be a good deal sharper fitness-wise this afternoon, the son of Dr Massini has his ideal conditions – a flat, left-handed track on testing ground – to perform to maximum capacity and he makes plenty of each-way appeal despite being top weight in an ultra-competitive affair.

Although POKER SCHOOL (best price 10-1) was ultimately beaten a far distance in the end at Uttoxeter last time out, he was by no means disgraced on ground that was far from ideal and he could easily figure prominently in a race of this nature off his current chase mark. A genuine 127-rated hurdler, Ian Williams’ inmate performed to a decent standard when keeping on well into fourth place behind easy winner, Pobbles Bay, at the Midland venue and with the feature of that contest being the tremendous speed figure clocked by Evan Williams’ charge, anything that got with hailing distance deserved to be upgraded. Back on a better surface on a 10lb lower mark that his hurdle rating, the son of Gold Well could easily find himself right in the mix with a clear round.

MALL DINI (NAP) (best price 6-5) ran an absolute blinder on his chasing debut in what is turning out to be a red-hot piece of form and although he faces one or two interesting recruits here, his experience and overall qualities should prove too much for his rivals. Winner of the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival last year, Patrick Kelly’s inmate, however, has always been regarded as a chasing prospect by connections and he did nothing to dispel that theory when a close-up third to Haymount in a strongly run event at Punchestown 28 days ago. Staying on nicely in the latter stages without being subjected to a hard ride, the son Milan only got beat a short-head by Coney Island and with that horse going on to land the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase on his next outing, the form is about as good as it gets carried forward into a race of this nature.

BUN DORAN (best price 2-1) shaped with immense promise on his chase debut at Uttoxeter and he should take plenty of beating if he runs anywhere near the standard he reached at the Midland venue. Setting off a helter-skelter pace, Tom George’s charge looked to have his field at full stretch turning for home, but unable to maintained that relentless gallop in the rain-softened ground on his first touting for 209-days, he understandably got a little weary in the closing stages and faded in to third. Looking at the time figure recorded and subsequent performances of the likes of Champagne At Tara, Gino Trail and Brandon Hill (all well beaten) and it’s quite clear that it was a smart novices’ handicap and even though the son of Shantou shaped as though he has the sort of natural speed that may be better served over shorter trips in future, he still might just have too much ability for his rivals here this afternoon.

Being able to jump soundly and get into a decent rhythm in these big-field Saturday handicaps is often worth its weight in gold and that’s exactly what MINELLA DADDY (best price 9-1) manage to achieved before going on to land a competitive contest over today’s C&D last time out. Always popping away nicely in the hands of Sean Bowen, the son of Flemensfirth was able to save ground and valuable energy by going the brave man’s route down the inner and in the end, it all added up to him running out a fairly comfortable winner. Obviously, whether he’ll be able to enjoy such a luxurious passage this time around is in the lap of the gods to a certain degree, but assuming his pilot bounces him out as soon as the tapes fly up and lies fairly handy early doors, Peter Bowen’s charge has every chance of following up over a track that clearly suits his run-style.

***With the National Hunt season now in full swing here is your opportunity to access Andy Holding’s unique speed figures for all UK and Irish meetings. For more details go to andyholdingspeedfigures.co.uk.***