Andy Holding's Sunday Horse Racing Tips

Deservedly, Big Country is likely to be all the rage here following his impressive all-weather success at Kempton last time out, however, he has now got to go and prove he can run to the same level on turf and at the prices, he’s passed over in favour of BANDITRY (best price 11-1), who brings solid recent grass form to the party. A quirky customer when previously handled by Michael Bell, some of those kinks seemed to have been ironed out by new connections, so much so that he’s managed to be victorious three times in the last seven months. His latest success was a decent one on the figures at Lingfield back in February and then following a 57-day break, he managed to run to another high standard back on turf in the City and Suburban at Epsom. Held up out the back at the Surrey venue, the son of Iffraaj made up significant headway in the home straight and although he ran on strongly all the way to the line, he couldn’t quite cope with the similar finishing prowess of Brorocco. On closer inspection, the sectional times reveal that the first two home that day ran the latter part of the race in much quicker fractions than Derby fancy Cracksman (and Permian who won here yesterday), so based on those findings, Ian Williams’ inmate rates a fair each-way bet at his top morning odds.

CLUB WEXFORD (NAP) (best price 4-1) is developing into a pretty reliable performer in these sort of events and following a recent victory which very much rewarded his consistency, Jim Bolger’s charge is strongly fancied to throw his cap in the ring for another large dollop of prize money. Runner-up to Beechmount Whisper is a hot handicap over today’s C&D on his first outing of the season, the son of Lawman proceeded to finish in the money in two similar hard-knocking sprint events at Naas and Navan (travelled well in both), however, when stepped back up in trip again, the six-year-old produced a terrific display at Limerick a week ago. Quickening really smartly inside the last two furlongs, he posted the best finishing sectionals on the seven-race card and even though he’s turned out again pretty quickly, the crack on while the iron is hot policy has been used to good effect by his wily handler over the years.

The race that was won by Hushood at Bath 23 days ago couldn’t have worked out any better and having run so well to take an honourable second, MISTER MANDURO (best price 5-2) is likely to be a major player here on this evidence of that display. In a very strongly-run race, Mark Johnston’s charge impressed by the way he stuck his neck out and battled all the way to the line and with likes of subsequent winners Sofia’s Rock, Emenem and Permian well beaten off in behind, the form looks totally watertight. Looking at the way he moves and the fact that he’s already handled the firm terrain at Bath, also suggests he should be perfectly at home on today’s quickish surface and with Ryan Moore booked, hopes are high he can put an early marker down for the King George V Handicap at the Royal meeting in a month time.