Andy Holding's Sunday Horse Racing Tips

Gordon Elliot has always maintained that DEATH DUTY (NAP) (best price 7-4) is one of the nicest young horses in his yard and he’s taken to justify the hype and get the better of the big clash between himself and Invitation Only. As expected, the son of Shantou made a winning start to his hurdling career when capturing a modest maiden hurdle at long odds-on at Roscommon back in October but pitched straight into graded company, he delivered the goods at the first time of asking against class opposition by winning the Monksfield Novice Hurdle over today’s C&D last time out. Despite kicking a few hurdles out of the ground, he still proved way too strong for a useful field that included five previous winners and with the knowledge that he’s already proven around today’s stiff track twice over, that sort of valuable experience might just tip the balance in his favour.

Given that GUERTEEN (best price 3-1) made a more than pleasing start to his chasing career when a fine third over today’s track on debut, it comes as a slight surprise to see Robert Tyner’s charge switch him back over hurdles. That said, connections have clearly found a decent opportunity for their charge at a track that clearly suits so the hint should be taken. A smart novice last season, the son of Golan was good enough to lower the colours of the similarly useful De Plotting Shed over today’s course and although he failed justify his position in the market in a listed race on his final outing of the campaign, the fact he was put in that race points towards the regard he’s held in at home. Looking as though he would benefit for his first outing in a very good beginners chase here 35 days ago, the lightly-raced six-year-old should be somewhere near fever pitch on his return visit to the Co Kildare venue and being as he was a winner of a point-to-point in the past, one would like to think he’d improve for a step up in trip.

NOT FOR BURNING (best price 7-2) jumped immaculately when making all the running at Fairyhouse last time out and although she’s probably at her best at that track, she’s got enough solid runs under her belt at today’s venue to offset that slight question mark. Making her intentions clear from the outset at Co Kildare course 15 days ago, Denise Foster’s charge kept taking lengths out of rivals at every fence and if she can get into the sort of rhythm that saw her confidence grow along the journey that afternoon, she could be very difficult to peg back around this demanding circuit.

To obtain my exclusive speed figures on this race and all of today’s National Hunt action both in the UK and Ireland, go to www.andyholdingspeedfigures.co.uk. Yesterday’s numbers highlighted both Poker School and Bun Doran out of a very fast-run race at Uttoxeter previously, so don’t miss out.