Andy Holding's Thursday Horse Racing Tips

HURRICANE BEN (NAP) (best price 8-1) really impressed by the way he attacked his fences on the way to victory at Fairyhouse last time out and even though the handicap has tried to intervene by raising him 9lb subsequently, James Sheehan’s inmate might prove equal to the task. No match for the progressive Great Field on unsuitable bad ground at Thurles the time before, the son of Beneficial was a totally different proposition altogether when ridden in a more positive vein at the Co Kildare venue 11 days ago and with fast conditions once again his favour, another positive display looks on the cards if gunned from the front.

BLACK IVORY (best price 5-1) was just a bit too keen for his own good in the early stages at Kelso when last seen, but off the back of a nice break and on better ground, Malcolm Jefferson’s charge looks likely to keep his run of consistency going in the right direction. Yet to finish out of the money on all eight starts so far to date, his best performance came on good ground at Hexham back in October and hailing from a yard in tremendous form at present, the son of Revoque should hopefully make his presence felt.

Again, another massively tricky puzzle to solve so a few throw at the stumps are required in order to try and find the pot of gold. Given the golden run Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power are on at the moment, it would come as no surprise to see OSCAR SAM (best price 12-1) run a big race at a track where his form figures read 21123. A comfortable winner of a big-field handicap at Leopardstown in January, the son of Oscar ran right up to his best form when a creditable third in the last of the Irish Pertemps Qualifiers over today’s C&D a month later and with the form of that race franked by the fourth home, Presenting Percy, in the final itself, a big case can be made for this strapping chasing type on ground that will suit. The EBF Final at Fairyhouse turned out to be a very strongly run race on the speed figures so big attention has to be paid to runner-up BILLY’S HOPE (best price 18-1) and, AH LITTLELUCK (best price 40-1), who fell while still in contention for a place at the last. The former, who also hails from the unstoppable Harrington yard, has plenty of top class form against some very useful novices in the last year or so and with ground to suit, he should go well, while the latter often comes good at this time of year when the ground dries out – making his morning too irresistible to refuse. 

Interestingly Ruby Walsh has chosen to Ride Asthuria here, but he may have dropped a clanger not siding with PRAVALAGUNA (best price 6-1), who was extremely unlucky in a Grade 2 at Navan when last seen. Still going as well as anything going down to the second last, Willie Mullins’ charge just took off a stride too early and ended up on the floor when still a length clear and providing her confidence hasn’t been too badly dented by that untimely incident, she has every chance of gaining compensation.