Andy Holding's Friday Horse Racing Tips

Project Bluebook is bound to be popular having looked good in landing a C&D novice hurdle on only his second start over hurdles last time out, but on the same afternoon, JONNY DELTA (best price 11-1) had run well in a much stronger contest and he rates the value each-way alternative. Although only fourth on that occasion, he was up against a live Champion Hurdle outsider in the shape of Superb Story, and with the winner’s time a full five seconds quicker than the one recorded by John Quinn’s juvenile, Jim Goldie’s charge clearly has a better chance than the market implies at a track he knows like the back of his hand.

Even taking into account the weaknesses of the jockey who rides TETRAITES (best price 11-4), the price is just about big enough to justify a small interest in a horse who has shown plenty of ability in his last few races without success. Since moving to his new base, Adrian Murray's inmate has run three creditable races, none more so than his latest effort when runner-up to the useful Secret Existence. Dropped out the back door early, the son of Danehill Dancer was then rushed up by his pilot down the back straight in a bizarre manoeuvre, but to be fair to the horse, despite wasting needless energy in the hottest part of the race, he still maintained a decent gallop all the way to the line. Prior to that useful performance, he’d been given a similar ride to the one he got last time, so let’s hope his Brazilian-born rider has learnt from his mistakes and gives his mount a more efficient ride this time around.

Not a great deal to choose between many of these given they have clashed on many occasions in the past, but with the likelihood of a strong gallop on this evening, SONG OF LOVE (best price 6-1) may be capable of turning the table of stable companion Udogo. In a slowly run tactical affair here two weeks ago, track position ended up being the key factor to the success of Udogo, whereas the son of Fastnet Rock found himself languishing towards the back of the field and unable to land a meaningful blow at the front pair who obtained first run. Prior to that commendable effort, Joseph O’Brien’s charge had easily run down his stable mate and several others of tonight’s rivals in a much stronger-run affair and with that scenario looking a distinct possibility with the likes of Sharjah, He’s Our Music and Maincin in the line-up, he should get the end-to-end gallop required to bring his stamina into play down the lane.

EASY BOY (NAP) (best price 4-1) was desperately unlucky not to land a similar race 14 days ago and he rates a strong fancy to make amends for what turned out to be a nightmare run. Noted going well in behind the speed as the field turned for home, Pat Martin’s charge went down every blind alley imaginable and in finishing hard on the bridle in fifth, he left the impression he would have won easily with a clear run. Winner of a strong-run C&D handicap the time before, the son of Rip Van Winkle is clearly in the form of his life based on those two performances, so it’s just a case of whether he’s in the same shape and hope he gets a clear run at the vital stages this time around.