Andy Holding's Boxing Day Racing Tips

HEART LOCKET (best price 7-2) ran with great credit in big time figure race at Newcastle last time out and a repeat of that level of form should be enough to see Michael Easterby’s inmate go close in this similar heat. A winner previously over the same C&D the time before, the daughter of Champs Elysees clearly has a liking for the Tapeta surface as she’s also got some useful form at today’s venue in the past, and in a race likely to be run at a sound tempo courtesy of Threediamondrings being in the line-up, she should have the perfect set-up for her deep-closing run-style.

DUSKY LARK (best price 7-4) comes out of his last race at Ascot with great credit being the only one who chased a fast pace to survive the test and he should find today’s opposition much more palatable at a track where he’s gone well in the past. Jumping much better than the time before when a whole series of errors cost him dear at Kempton, Colin Tizzard’s inmate looked as though he was sure to capture a competitive handicap at the Berkshire venue until the patiently-ridden Poker School arrived on the scene at the last, but in seeing off the remainder to finish a gallant second, he proved that he’s well capable of winning races off his current mark.

Although visibility was at a premium at Ascot last weekend, POKER SCHOOL (NAP) (best price 7-2) was one of the few who shone through the gloom that day and he makes plenty of appeal in his bid for a quick follow up. Fourth in a race which working out incredibly well at Uttoxeter two starts ago, Ian Williams’ charge was well-supported to take advantage of a fairly lenient-looking handicap mark based on that performance and although he took his time in delivering the goods at the Berkshire venue, he superiority was in full evidence once he got himself into top gear from the back of the second last. Indeed, in analysing his final circuit sectional times, he ran the last lap an amazing 2.1 seconds faster than the 152-rated Top Notch, so based on those findings, it’s pretty clear that even an 8lb rise in the ratings won’t be enough to stop the son of Gold Well if he’s in the same sort of form.

Although Bellshill is the perceived sexy one from the Willie Mullins yard, HAYMOUNT (best price 5-1) achieved much more on his chasing debut at Punchestown and he rates the value pick to gain stable bragging rights. Jumping well and making all the running at the Co Kildare venue, the strapping son of Presenting clocked a time suggest it was a Graded race in all but name and with the runner-up, Coney Island, going on to prove that theory correct with a win in the Grade 1 Drinmore next time out, he clearly capable of mixing it in this sort of company based on the pure numbers.

MOVIE LEGEND (best price 6-1) didn’t exactly prove to be a box office smash for his supporters at Doncaster last time, but at the same time he more than intimated that he’s capable of winning a race of this nature sooner rather than later. Although the performance wasn’t a step up on his previous effort behind the well-handicapped Lord Of The Island at Towcester, he was by no means totally disgraced on Town Moor and given that today’s opposition doesn’t look anything earth-shattering in terms of pure form, Lucy Wadham’s charge can provide local connections a nice Christmas tonic.

Despite Yanworth being chalked up a short-priced favourite here, his form over the minimum trip up to now doesn’t back up his position in the market, so the value surely has to lie with MY TENT OR YOURS (best price 5-1) who appear criminally overlooked. Although the son of Desert Prince was beaten fair and square by his old rival The New One at Cheltenham last time out, conditions and the way the race panned out clearly suited Nigel Twiston-davies’ charge on the day so it wasn’t a massive surprise to see him come up short. A sharp two miles on decent ground, however, is when Nicky Henderson’s charge has always been at his best and with the race likely to develop along similar lines as they did at Prestbury Park 16 days ago, Noel Fehily will have a target to aim at in the catbird seat before playing his hand late on.

LAPALALA (best price 9-2) was a creditable fourth in a decent race on the figures at Wincanton last time out and with today’s trip likely to bring about further improvement based on what we saw that day, Philip Hobbs’ charge is fancied to go close to shedding the maiden tag. Staying on strongly in the latter stages of a well-run contest, the daughter of Oscar was gaining on the leaders hand over fist as the post loomed and with the winner, Soupy Soups, going on to prove the value of the form next time out at Fakenham, there’s a decent chance this five-year-old mare will do the same.

BALL D’ARC (best price 4-1) travelled like the best horse in his most recent outing at Navan, but in the end he succumbed to the strong-finishing Oscar Knight over a trip that just stretched his stamina and he had to settle for second place. Prior to that creditable effort, Gordon Elliot’s charge had run respectably in a Grade 2 contest at Punchestown which has worked out a treat subsequently and now returning to his optimum distance, there’s every reason to feel upbeat about his chance on his first start in handicap company off a very workable mark.