Andy Holding's New Year's Day Racing Tips

WARP FACTOR (NAP) (best price 9-4) put the wind up many who’d taken a thin price about the useful Forth Bridge here last time out and with nothing of that quality up against him this afternoon, he should prove good enough get off the mark at the third time of asking. In what turned out to be a proper test set by the Queen-owned winner 18-days ago, the son of The Carbon Unit impressed by the way he ran hard all the way to the line off the back of solid fractions and with the third horse that day, Aislabie (beaten 20 lengths), franking the form with a win since, Pat Shanahan’s charge is taken to follow suit returning to the scene of his career-best performance.

LORD OF THE ISLAND (best price 6-1) left the impression he rather let his latest race over today’s C&D slip through his fingers and he rates a solid proposition to make amends returning to the scene of that slightly unlucky episode. Seemingly going better than anything turning for home, a ponderous leap three out meant that Fergal O’Brien’s charge gave away valuable ground at a crucial moment and although he rallied to the cause over the last and on the run-in, he couldn’t quite reel back the first two who’d obtained first run. On the positive side, at least we know he remains in good form and handles today’s track, so there’s every reason to feel upbeat about his chance this afternoon – particularly from an each-way stance.

ASH PARK (best price 5-1) has run to a very high standard on his two completed rounds over fences and a repeat of either performance should see him massively competitive in this wide-open affair. A staying-on second in race which has worked out incredibly well at Carlisle was unfortunately followed by an early exit on his next outing at Newcastle. Stuart Coltherd’s charge, however, bounced back to his very best form last time out when chasing home the well-handicapped Bun Doran at the same track and with his confidence nicely restored, he has the qualities to make his presence felt of his present mark.

SHOWDAISY (best price 9-2) remains in tremendous heart on the evidence of her latest performance at Newcastle and she should prove very difficult to peg back if she adopts her usually forceful front-running role at a track that suits her run-style. On her only visit to today’s C&D, Keith Dalgleish’s inmate showed a blistering level of pace throughout and with the time figure backing up the visual appearance of the display, it will take a decent effort from one of her rivals to lower her colours.

TENOR NIVERNAIS (best price 10-1) shaped with plenty of promise on his seasonal return at Ascot when just failing to see out the 3m trip, but given the way he travelled throughout the majority of the journey, there’s every chance he will hugely competitive in a race which he’s gone well in before. Fifth two years ago, Venetia Williams’ inmate ran a brave race twelve months ago when chasing home course specialist Village Vic and it looks as though he’s been specifically prepared for another crack at this prize given his lightly-raced profile. Furthermore, it was also nice to see his stable burst into life with three winners yesterday, so it all adds up for the son of Shaanmer to go well at his double-figure odds.

PHILBA (best price 7-2) ran a blinder in what turned out to be one of the best speed figures races run throughout the all-weather campaign so far and given that he achieved such a big number doing it from box 13, Michael Appleby’s charge rates a cracking bet to go one place better now housed in a more favourable box. Forced to race wide from the outset, the son of Cockney Rebel was still the only one to offer any sort of resistance to stable mate Mithaal, who hit the ball out of the park on the figures, and with that effort instilling confidence that he’s now back to his very best form, he should take all the beating over a C&D which he’s excelled over the past two seasons.