Andy Holding's Bank Holiday Monday Racing Tips

Having run to a fair standard on his two previous outings, ZABALETASWANSONG (best price 15-8) can put his experience to good use and finally get off the mark. Although only fifth on debut at Ascot, the time figure of that race at the Berkshire track indicated he’d run a good deal better than his finishing position implied and he duly backed up that opinion with a decent effort on his next outing at Doncaster. In another strongly-run affair, Richard Hannon’s charge only just got run out of the argument in the dying strides having travelled well throughout, and with today’s extra furlong seen as a positive, it will take something quite smart from the un-raced category to lower his colours.

BANDITRY (best price 13-2) didn’t quite stay the trip on his first attempt beyond 1m 2f last time out at Newmarket, but now dropping back down to his optimum distance. Ian Williams’ charge can be expected to much more potent force. Although he didn’t run badly in that competitive handicap at HQ (Top Tug won since), he’s probably better judged on his previous performance when runner-up to the improving Brorocco at Epsom, and with the time figure of that race suggesting it’s pretty reliable form, the son of Iffraaj is fancied to go well at a track that should play more into his strengths.

TOULSON (NAP) (best price 7-2) really impressed both visually and on the speed figures at Nottingham last time out and he rates a fairly confident choice to follow up on ground that should suit. Clearly benefitting from a gelding operation, Eve Johnson-Houghton’s inmate defied a seven-month absence with a display of total authority and with the well-beaten third-placed Panko going on to boost the form of that race at the Colwick Park track subsequently, hope is high that the improving four-year-old can follow suit and continue his progression through the ranks.

THE NUTCRACKER (best price 8-1) warmed up nicely for another tilt at this prize with a creditable effort at Wexford last time out and she makes plenty of appeal returning to one of her happy hunting grounds. Victorious in this very race on her first visit to the Mayo venue two years ago, Thomas Gibney’s mare duplicated that success by following up here last season off a 17lb higher mark. Off the track for 221-days, the daughter of Antonius Pius ran to a very high standard by finishing a creditable third behind the smart mare Asthuria last time out and with this race looking to have been her ultimate target once again based on her meticulous preparation, another huge run is anticipated from this diminutive seven-year-old.

Having highlighted the speed figure of the race fought out by Stormey and Fiesole at Clonmel last time in a previous column, it was good to see that latter back up the numbers with victory at Down Royal on Friday. Back in third and fourth respectively that day were RAPID FRITZ (best price 8-1) and TOUCH OF GOLD (best price 9-1) and they are worth playing against the field having both run extremely well in what was clearly a useful race of its kind. Although yet to win a race in 13 starts, the former has been knocking at the door for quite a while and that cracking effort two weeks ago backed up a smart performance four outings back when he was a creditable runner-up in a 22-strong field at Punchestown. Best with a little bit of juice in the ground, any showers in the area will be a help to Gerard Keane’s inmate. The latter came out best on the figures in that burn-up 11 days ago, having begun the last circuit at the Co Tipperary venue with only one behind and a good 10 lengths off the pace. Making up a tremendous amount of ground in the hottest part of the race, the daughter of Papal Bull did remarkably well in the circumstances to finish fourth and with the hood on again which clearly worked well that evening, there’s every chance she will play a significant role in tonight’s outcome.