Andy Holding's Tuesday Horse Racing Tips

Not too many standouts here in what looks a fairly modest novices’ handicap, so there’s a good chance that the unexposed ARDMAYLE (best price 6-1) may prove capable of throwing his hat into the ring on his first start over fences under rules. Going well when falling three from home in a maiden point-to-point on his racecourse debut, The Whitmore’s Coin gelding quickly made up for that unlucky episode by winning on his very next start 18-days later and with the likes of Shantou Rock (winner over hurdles for Dan Skelton this season) and Claimantakinforgan (bumper winner for Nicky Henderson), it’s clear the five-year-old chestnut was beating a decent standard of opponent that day. Switched to current connections, Ali Brewer’s inmate showed promise on his first two starts, but his latest effort when a creditable fourth in a useful novices’ hurdle at Towcester last time out was arguably his best. Although he was beaten over 15 lengths behind Top Ville Ben, he showed enough that day to suggest when stepped up in trip on better ground he will become a much more potent force and with his experience of jumping fences already in the bag, he makes plenty of appeal at his top morning odds.

Although SENNOCKIAN STAR (best price 7-2) has better results over 1m 4f, the chances are that this small-field race will become tactical and given that he’s the one likely to dictate matters from the front, he can set the sort of tempo that should suit his skillset. A model of consistency throughout the winter, Mark Johnston’s charge scored for the third time during a busy period when making virtually all the running here on Saturday and turned out quickly in a bid to strike while the iron is hot, Joe Fanning is just the sort of pilot to execute the perfect ride from the front.

DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (NAP) (best price 11-8) wasn’t quite up to mixing it against Grade 2 opposition at Wetherby last time out, but at the same time he wasn’t totally disgraced and these much calmer waters should be much more to his liking. Impressing with his attitude when making all the running over today’s C&D the time before, Sue Smith’s appears ideally suited by being given his head in small fields and when he’s allowed to dominate – as seems extremely liking here – he will take plenty of pegging back once he has the bit between his teeth.