Andy Holding's Sunday Horse Racing Tips

Willie Mullins, although no expert when it comes to the final of this series as of yet, does appear to have a very strong hand in the last of the Irish qualifiers in the shape of The Crafty Butcher and Isleofhopeanddreams, but as they both take a huge chunk out of the market, it does open the door for some value to be had with a couple of their rivals. The first to catch the eye is CARRIG CATHAL (best price 22-1), who for some reason seems to have been total ignored in the betting, but a closer look at his credentials suggest that could be an unwise policy to adopt. A hugely talented and consistent sort in the late summer/Autumn period, Gordon Elliot’s charge has been freshened up nicely following a 119-day break and if he can run to the level which saw him account for a decent field at Listowel in a fast time, he’ll have every chance of being competitive. Being rated just 120, FIRST TO BOOGIE (best price 33-1) would need a minor miracle to get into the final of this event at Cheltenham, but that does mean connections should let their charge run on his merits with no hidden agendas. A solid runner-up to Exactoris last time out at Leopardstown, Madeline Tylicki’s charge has yet to finish out of the frame in four outings at today’s track, and that’s one of the main reasons why he appeals as a decent each-way shout at 25-1.

Enda Bolger has had some proper big-time Charlie’s in these banks races over the years and in the shape of Colour Squadron and, more predominately, AUVERGNE (NAP) (best price 4-1), the Co Limerick handler looks to have a couple more cabs off the rank in this division. On his first start over cross country fences, the son of Della Francesca intimated he could be a hit in this sphere when staying on nicely to claim third spot behind stable mate Cantlow and even though he has a bit to find with Ballybroker Breeze, strictly speaking, on that form, he can be cut a little bit of slack due to his lack of experience. Going well when just taking his eye off the ball at one of the easiest fences in his latest start at Cheltenham, hopefully his confidence won’t be too badly dented as he looks a really nice prospect for some years to come in this discipline.

VELOCITY BOY (best price 7-4) was a costly failure for followers of this column when he tipped up at the second last at Naas last time out, but providing he’s suffered no ill effects from that tumble, he has the qualities to take a race of this nature. Unluckily nabbed in the dying strides the time before at Down Royal, he seemed happy being allowed to bowl along in front that day, so it was annoying to say the very least that he was held up over half-a-mile shorter at the Co Kildare venue. Whether he would have won is open to question, but surely connections will rethink their policy with the son of Westerner and play to his strengths from the front, and if so, William Murphy’s charge will take some pegging back at the head of affairs.

It took punters some time to cotton on to Seeyouatmidnight in the early stages of his career and it might well be a similar situation surrounding stable mate SEEMORELIGHTS (best price 18-1). Going into his last race at Kelso, Sandy Thompson’s charge was an unconsidered 66-1 outsider in a 13-strong field, but in lowering the colours of many strongly-fancied and highly-regarded types, he won in the style of a horse who should have a bright future. Just like his more illustrious stable companion - who also came here off the back of a 66-1 victory - the son of Midnight Legend looks like being totally underestimated in the market shipping up at the Edinburgh venue as the outsider of the party, but given his time figure he posted 21-days ago suggested it was no fluke, he simply has to be backed at his double-figure quotes to justify his handler’s bold policy in pitching his charge up against more established names.