Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

Forever Field did absolutely nothing wrong on debut over fences behind the impressive new recruit Bagad Bihoue, but he may have to play second fiddle again to the equally promising MIDNIGHT SHOT (NAP) (best price 11-8) who also turned in a fine display on his chasing bow. A useful handicap hurdler, Charlie Longsdon’s inmate showed a real aptitude for his new discipline right from the first fence and staying on strongly in the final mile, he fended off the challenges of his two main market rivals, Lofgren and Sam Red, to score with a bit to spare. The time figure also suggests it was a decent performance by the son of Midnight Legend and with the runner-up going on to boost the form with a convincing win next time up at Bangor, confidence is high he can repeat the dose with another attacking ride from the front.

Tirania is likely to be a popular choice for many here following an eye-catching display first time out at Newbury, but she won’t have things all her own way if SHEILA’S ROCK (best price 10-3) can build on her promising debut effort over tonight’s C&D. Slowly away in the early paces, as a result, Denis Coakley’s charge found herself in a poor track position turning for home, but staying on in encouraging fashion inside the final three furlongs, she rattled off plenty of toiling rivals to finish a never-nearer third at the line. Clocking useful closing sectionals, the daughter of Fastnet Rock indicated she would have gone very close to winning with a clean break, so providing she does come out on terms here this evening, there’s every chance she can give all the trouble the favourite can handle.

TRIOLET (best price 7-1) was unlucky to bump into the in-form Fiesole on his latest outing at Down Royal, but with the time figure strong and the pair pulling away from the rest of the pack, there’s every reason to believe Colm McBratney’s inmate can finally get off the mark over hurdles. Clearly on good terms with himself given the way he travelled through that well-run affair, the seven-year-old couldn’t quite match the pace of the winner on the run-in, so it seems a sensible approach by connections to step up in trip tonight in order to avoid something with better basic speed over the minimum distance. Placed on both his two previous visits to tonight’s track, the son of Westerner is a confident choice to hit the frame at the very least and if everything goes right, that elusive and well-deserved victory can be his.