Andy Holding's Wednesday Horse Racing Tips

GANGSTER (best price 2-1) made a bright start to his chasing career when finishing a creditable runner-up to his potentially top-class stable mate American Tom at Punchestown and he can one place better with a clear round of jumping with that all-important experience under his belt. A smart hurdler, highlighted by several useful efforts in Grade 1 company, Henry De Bromhead’s charge, however, has always been perceived as a chaser and that assessment seems to be a fairly accurate one based on that initial outing at the Co Kildare venue. In a race run at a sound tempo courtesy of the Willie Mullins-trained front runner, the son of Green Tune was the only one to keep tabs with the winner throughout and with the pair well clear of the smart pair, Bentelimar and Woodland Opera, a repeat of that level of form should be good enough to suffice here.

It was a classic case of what might have been when SNOW FLACON (best price 9-2) tipped up at the third from home at Newbury last time out, but with the overriding opinion that Noel Meade’s charge would have been a serious challenger to Unowhatimeanharry had he stayed on his feet, there’s every chance he could make amends in this Grade 1 event. Very much going the right way prior to that untimely tumble with strong staying performance at Navan, hopefully his confidence won’t be too badly effected as he looks to have all the necessary tools to at least give short-priced favourite Vroum Vroum Mag a race.

The Giggingstown Stud operation are mob-handed in what looks to be a terrific renewal of this prestigious Grade 1 Chase, but there’s no doubt that VALSEUR LIDO (best price 11-4) is their main hope and he can put down an early marker for the Gold Cup later in the season. A top-notch novice when trained by Willie Mullins last season, the son of Anzillero began this campaign in the best possible fashion by landing the Grade 1 JNWines Chase at Down Royal and with the time figure of the race suggesting it was a performance of some repute, he goes into his toughest test so far to date as the one to beat on the numbers and with his confidence sky-high.