Andy Holding's Friday Horse Racing Tips

Natural Scenery is sure to be a strong choice for many coming off the back of two impressive victories, but it’s worth pointing out that she has been beaten on her only two starts at today’s track and, given that her latest success was an extremely slowly-run race at Newcastle last time (suited the 1m 4f kickers), she isn’t guaranteed to see out the 2m if they go a decent gallop. One that should get ever yard and thrive on it, is WATERSMEET (best price 13-2), and even though he could have done with a better draw, jockey Joe Fanning has plenty of time to get the son of Dansili organised and into a decent early position. Beaten by the way the track often suffocates front-runners behind Natural scenery at Newcastle back in January, mark Johnston’s inmate hasn’t looked back since with two performances of some merit. Firstly, over today’s course, he ran right away from some decent sorts after cutting out the running and then he went on to show his versatility by coming from off the speed at Chelmsford to win going away on his first outing over 2m. A likeable type who really points his toe and gallops on strongly once in full cry, the six-year-old will be a danger to all if he gets a smooth passage through and he’s on the shoulders of the leaders rounding the home turn.

Although beaten by Watermeet two starts ago, COHESION (best price 6-1) has improved significantly in the interim and has to come heavily into the argument following his hugely impressive victory at Wolverhampton subsequently. Off the back of strong fractions at the Dunstall Park venue, David Bridgwater’s charge impressed by the way he powered clear in the latter stages and, having begun life in the French provinces, this lightly-raced gelding has a similar profile to Ligitant who took this race two years ago.

MUFFRI’HA (NAP) (best price 6-4) is the standout performer in this race and is strongly fancied to stamp her authority and class on the field. Arriving her fitter and sharper than most courtesy of a productive winter out in the desert, her best effort came on her final outing when she finished a close-up third behind the smart pair, Decorated Knight and Folkswood in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta. Although she’s been plying her trade largely over 1m, the way she’s quickened up on her two previous visits to today’s course suggests she won’t have any problems dropping back a furlong and with the pieces on for the first time just to sharpen her up out of the gates, a good break and a ground-saving run around the inside should be good enough to dispose of today’s opposition.

KIMBERELLA (best price 4-1) really impressed with the turn of foot he exhibited when scoring here last time out and, in a tightly-knit affair where the margins will be fine, that potent weapon might just able to tip the balance in his favour. Having his first outing since leaving Dandy Nichols, the son of Kyllachy found himself at the back of the field as the runners turned for home, but coming home down the outside in 22.2, the seven-year-old blew rivals away inside the last furlong. Having won this race last year with a similar aging veteran in the shape of Alben Star, Richard Fahey clearly knows a thing or two about sweetening up these old boys and given that all his best form has come over 6f, the prospect of even more to come isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

ABAREEQ (best price 14-1) would have probably disappointed many that forced him into favouritism at Chelmsford last time but as the race turned into a tactical farce, Mark Johnston’s charge was never likely to operate at maximum capacity. Prior to that below-par effort, the son of Haatef impressed with the turn of foot he produced off the back of strong fractions at Lingfield over today’s trip and if he gets a decent pace to shoot at here, there’s every chance he will leave his early morning quotes of 14-1 well behind.

Unbeaten in his last four starts on the all-weather, including a listed prize at Kempton last time out, Ennaadd is very much the one to beat here, but he has been well found in the market whereas SOVEREIGN DEBT (best price 13-2) has been slightly overlooked. Although comfortably beaten by Roger Varian’s charge back in November, the Dark Angel gelding has run to his usual high standard since and on the evidence of his latest effort at Kempton, he should still be capable of mixing it in this sort of company. Up to 1m 2f for the first time on his opening bow for his new trainer, Ruth Carr’s inmate had to go down as unlucky loser after not getting the best of runs in the short straight at the Surrey venue and having finished runner-up in this contest for the last two seasons, he rates the safest each-way alternative to the favourite at the prices. Keystroke, a big improver who has posted some tremendous speed figures when on-song during the winter, would have probably been the number one choice for this prize but his draw on the outside is rather off-putting. That said, he should still go well.