Andy Holding's Saturday Horse Racing Tips

SEEMORELIGHTS (best price 7-2) acquitted himself with a good deal of credit in a decent race at Musselburgh last time, but as he left the impression that a sharp track on good ground just caught him out at the Scottish track, a return to more testing conditions should see him run better than his morning odds imply. Impressing by the way he powered his way through heavy ground the time before at Kelso, Sandy Thompson’s charge was understandably a big price to live with several more high profile types given the lively nature of the surface 20 days ago, but in proving his doubters wrong, he went down in the book as a horse not to be underestimated when the right circumstances arise.

Charlie Parcs should prove to be a cut above his rivals following a smooth UK debut over today’s C&D 60 days ago, but the betting in the without the favourite market looks wide open and back on much better ground, PERCY STREET (best price 9-1) makes plenty of appeal at his morning quotes. Impressive when scoring in tidy fashion on a sound surface at Taunton two starts ago, Nicky Henderson’s charge proved a bitter disappointment when sent off a massive odds-on chance at Sandown last time out, but being as he simply couldn’t act on the very heavy ground on that occasion, valid excuses can be made for this nice-moving son of Sir Percy. Returning to underfoot conditions and a track that will suit, this likable gelding can benefit for being ridden out of the heat of battle early doors (there should be no shortage of pace on) and come home strongly to pick up the pieces late on.

Imjaaly was universally excepted as being unlucky here last time out, but, at 9-4, he’s been well found in the market, so the safest option is to play the in-form PUPIL (NAP) (best price 7-1) at much more rewarding odds. Shaping as though just in need of the run when gunned down by the useful Baroot over today’s C&D on his first outing off the plane back in January (got a wide trip), Satish Seemar’s inmate quickly gained compensation with a smart performance over a furlong shorter two weeks later. Maintaining his form with another solid effort in a listed prize at Adu Dhabi last time out, the son of Mastercraftsman makes plenty of each-way appeal at his top morning price returning to the scene of his happy hunting ground while still right on top of his game.

Jumping well and racing up with the pace are often key attributes to the winners of this prestigious prize and SMOOTH STEPPER (best price 16-1) has shown plenty of qualities in both of those departments in the past and receives the narrow vote. Lightly-raced and unexposed over fences, Sue Smith’s charge really came of age last time out over today’s course with a gallant display of attacking front running and a similarly bold ride can reap rewards for this game and honest eight-year-old.

In what should turn out to be a fascinating and informative affair, PETER THE MAYO MAN (best price 7-1) just gets the slight nod on value grounds. Impressive each time when rattling off a quick hat trick in the early part of the season, Neil Mulholland’s inmate performed with great credit despite coming out second best to Lough Derg Spirit in a useful novices’ contest at Musselburgh last time out, but as he was coming off the back of a 94-day break and the winner rather pouched a decisive advantage by kicking on turning into the straight, he still ran to a fair level. Although he can be slightly clumsy – due to his size – at his hurdles, the son of Dylan Thomas does possess a decent cruising speed and with today’s track and ground likely to suit him a good deal better than last time, he makes plenty of each-way appeal (hopefully all eight go to post).

Recent form figures for MAJESTIC MOUNT (best price 14-1) don’t look too appealing at first glance, but in mitigation, he has been facing some pretty stiff tasks out in the desert and the standard of today’s race at least offers him some sort of opportunity of competing on a level playing field. On the last two occasions when he’s run over today’s C&D, Satish Seemar’s inmate has been racing off marks in the 100’s against the likes of Baccarat and Co and he plain and simply hasn’t been good enough to cope with the sort of speedsters that wouldn’t be out of place in genuine Group 1 company. That said, even when finishing eighth of 14 behind the Godolphin star two starts back, he still ran a respectable 46.3 and 24.6 final split times, and if you compare that with today’s race favourite Roossey, who posted 47.1 and 25.2 when finishing fifth behind Acoltye on his latest outing, it puts into perspective what kind of task he faced in that red-hot 0-109 affair. Finally cut some slack by the handicapper, he now finds himself dropping down in class to 0-94 company, and following a promising effort when just not quite lasting out the 7f trip in a decent contest in Adu Dhabi, the son of Excel And Excel has bright prospects of outrunning his morning odds.