Andy Holding's Saturday Horse Racing Tips

CHARLIE STOUT (best price 16-1) continues his rise through the ranks and he’s most definitely worth a try in this sort of company off the back of his two recent performances. Yet to finish out of the frame so far this season in Ireland, Shane Nolan’s inmate arrives here off the back of a quick fire double at Naas and Down Royal and with a decent cruising speed and stamina the key ingredients to those success, he’s worth a roll of the dice over this new trip.

VINTAGE CLOUDS (best 8-1) was probably beaten when falling three from home here last time out, but the fact he tried to mix it against the likes of Bristol De Mai and Otago Trail points towards him being a potent force in races of this nature in future. Prior to that promising effort, Sue Smith’s inmate had run well in a series of smart novice chases up the north and having shown on numerous occasions that the Lancashire venue suits him best, he looks booked for another positive display over a trip that should suit his never-say-die attitude.

The ratings and betting suggests this race is gift-wrapped for the top-class Cue Card and if he’s anywhere near his best, Colin Tizzard’s inmate should justify his position in the market. There is a school of thought, however, that he might not have things all his own way with ROYAL REGATTA (best price 9-1) in the line-up and Philip Hobbs’ gelding rates a sporting bet to cause a mini-shock. Pulled up last time out at Cheltenham in the race eventually won by Un De Sceaux, that performance is easily forgiven on account he couldn’t dominate as he likes to do, but given today’s venue and an uncontested lead, and he’s a totally different proposition. Pestered for the lead by eventually winner Silviniaco Conti in this race last season, the son of Kayf Tara was seen to better effect when allowed to dictate matters at his happy hunting ground two starts ago and with no other recognised front runner in today’s line-up, the nine-year-old should be good enough to give the jolly a race at the very least if allowed to row his own boar at the head of affairs.

FORTUNATE GEORGE (best price 7-2) has run with great distinction on his last two starts and no one could begrudge the Oscar gelding a thoroughly deserved victory here. Since applied with the visor, Emma Lavelle’s charge has hit the frame on all three starts and on his latest outing at Sandown, he arguably ran one of his best races on the figures. Racing prominently throughout, the seven-year-old took up the gauntlet three out and although he came out second best of a titanic struggle with Lord Of The Island up the hill, the pair pulled well clear of a field chocked full of in-form, progressive handicappers. Indeed, it was no wonder the likes of KK Lexion and Rolling Dylan were waving the white flag from an early stages as the front pair actually ran the last circuit faster than Buveur D’air, who took the Champion Hurdle trial on the same card half-an-hour later, so it’s clear the form is strong. Likely to be ridden handy again, he has every chance of going well back at a track that saw him finish a creditable fourth behind the in-form Kalondra earlier in the campaign.

TANIT RIVER (best price 15-2) won a much better race than this one last time out at Chepstow (Flintham beaten 27 lengths run in Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot) so providing he’s in the same mood 29 days on, a repeat looks very much on the cards. Off the back of strong fractions, Tim Vaughan’s charge impressed by the way he powered his way clear of plenty of promising and well-fancied performers in the latter stages, and with connections indicating their charge might turn out to be a Welsh National type for next year, the Indian River gelding can put his stamina to good use in similar fashion.