Andy Holding's Tuesday Horse Racing Tips

Having run 68 times for Micky Halford in Ireland, one could have forgiven RUSSIAN SOUL (best price 9-2) for wondering what the hell was going on when he shipped up at his new stables recently, but like the old pro that he is, the veteran still rolled his sleeves up and got on with the job at hand on his first start for the Jamie Osbourne camp at Wolverhampton eight days ago. Arriving at the Dunstall Park venue off the back of several blinding efforts in top-quality events on the figures at Dundalk, the son of Invincible Spirit produced another tremendous performance for a horse of his age by finishing a creditable second to the in-form Nimr on his Tapeta bow. Not only was the race in question a strong one on the numbers, the fact that he gave the winner the best part of five length head start due to being dropped in from his wide draw points towards him being heavily upgraded for the effort, and now racing over a track that should suit his come-from-behind tactics, the nine-year-old can show that there are still plenty of races to be won with the old warrior.

Having landed a nice touch with Times In Anatefka at Wolverhampton yesterday, connections of KEN’S SAM’S (NAP) (best price 7-2) will be hoping that lightning strikes twice within 24 hours and on the evidence of what we saw of her at Dundalk last time out, there’s more than a fair chance she can follow in her stable mate’s hoof prints. Racing over the minimum trip for the first time, Adrian Joyce’s inmate impressed by the way she travelled through the early part of race, but just as she was being delivered with what looked a potent challenge two out, the door unfortunately slammed in her face. Once out in the clear, however, she came home to such a degree that it was impossible not to argue that she would have been involved in the finish with a clear run, and with handicapper amazingly giving her 2lb back, the daughter of Intense Focus has been presented with a great opportunity to break her duck over a track that should play into her strengths.