Andy Holding's Saturday Horse Racing Tips

LONDON PRIZE (best price 11-1) came through his stiffest task so far to date when landing the Imperial Cup on his latest outing and given he achieved that feat on ground not necessary in his favour, there’s a strong case to be put forward that he might have plenty of improvement to come now racing on a quicker surface. Although not a vintage renewal of the prestigious prize at the Esher venue, Ian Williams’ inmate still impressed with the way he overcame general crowding and a bad stumble coming out of the back straight to win in determined fashion and that performance should have really done him the power of good mentally following his fall the time before at Musselburgh (going really well at the time). In a race likely to be run at a sound gallop, his decent cruising speed should allow the son of Teofilo to stay close to the leaders in the first half of the contest before being unleashed with a withering run down the straight.

The Greenham is often a massive pointer towards the 2000 Guineas next month and having won the race with plenty of superstars over the years with the likes of Rock City, Redback, Major Cadeaux, Paco Boy, Dick Turpin and Olympic Glory, Richard Hannon will be hoping that BARNEY ROY (best price 7-2) can parachute his way into the mix for the first classic of the season. Making his debut in a maiden towards the backend of September, the son of Excelebration couldn’t have been any more impressive, showing a sharp turn of foot inside the last two furlongs to pull readily clear of what looked a decent field. Not only was it a visually taking performance, his final three-furlong split was almost identical to the two sprint races on the same card, so it’s pretty clear this big, imposing sort covers plenty of ground once he’s in top gear. Although he could have done with a slightly better draw, hopefully James Doyle can drop him in and get some cover early on and if so, that turn of foot he exhibited on debut can come into effect in the latter stages. In preparation of a decent display, a small interest (20-1) in the 2000 Guineas is also advised.

As daft as it might sound for a race over 4m, a good start and being able to hold an early posse is usually an important ingredient to landing this gruelling prize, so with that in mind, a chance is taken on SHOTGUN PADDY (best price 22-1) racing a bit more prominently and being more of a factor than he was last year. An out-and-out stayer, Emma Lavelle’s inmate hasn’t obliged since landing the Betfred Classic at Warwick back in 2014, but he has run plenty of notable races in defeat, including in the very same race this year behind subsequent Grand National hero, One For Arthur (usually a good trial for this race). Runner-up in the Eider when last seen, he stayed on bravely in the latter stages having helped force the issue throughout and with the visor on for the first time – presumably to help him jump better and keep his mind on the job throughout – another aggressive ride from the front can reap rewards. This is also a very good race for novices over the years and with last season’s hero, Vicente, having come here via a previous run in the National Hunt Chase, it would come as little surprise to see stable companion, ARPEGE D’ALENE (best price 12-1) go well after his excellent fourth in the four-miler at Cheltenham. Although he can be a bit pig ignorant during a race – as he showed in the Reynoldstown at Ascot – he does have enough ability and class to figure prominently providing his jumping is sharper and his mind doesn’t go wandering starring through the school classroom window. Others to mention favourably are Missed Approach who has similar credentials to Arpege D’Alene having run a blinder in the four-miler at Cheltenham, Trustan Times who was third in the race two years ago and bounced back to form over hurdles recently and it would come as little surprise to see Alvarado pick up some shots on the back nine just like he did last year.

SISTER BLANDINA (best price 13-8) was victim of a very slowly run race on her seasonal return at Naas, but she still ran well enough to suggest she’s going to enjoy another productive campaign. Winner of half of her eight races last season, Johnny Murtagh’s filly proved she’s just as effective over 1m 2f when landing an ultra-competitive handicap at Navan on her final outing, but she does have plenty of stamina for further too, and that trait will stand her in good stead for the examination today’s track will provide.

Although SPIRITUAL STAR (NAP) (best price 11-10) got beaten when well fancied here three nights ago, he still produced a very smart speed figure in defeat and he’s taken to gain some sort of compensation in this similar grade. Held up in usual fashion, unfortunately he wasn’t best placed as the eventual winner, Roman De Brut, kicked for home rounding the home turn and although he managed to cut the losing margin down to a length, the dye was cast. That said, the son of Soviet Star ran a final circuit time of 1.34.6, which is extremely rapid for the grade (Nimr clocked 1.36.2 when landing the Lincoln trial), and if he can run to a similar level here this evening, he should prove too strong for his four rivals based on those findings.