Andy Holding's Wednesday Horse Racing Tips

Anything that Jimmy Moffatt sends to his local track has to be respected and IDDER (best price 5-1) is no different arriving here off the back of a convincing display at Carlisle last time out. No match for the in-form Great Fighter at Perth the time before, the son of Authorised always gave the impression he had the well-fancied Trafalgar Rock under his spell at the Cumbrian venue, and so it proved as he eased past his main market rival on the long run-in. Although there were only three runners that day, the time figure was very generous, and with an overall profile to suggest he’s a pretty reliable sort for all types of ground and courses, today’s unique track shouldn’t pose too many problems for this likable six-year-old.

Having run blinders to finish placed in two of the hottest handicaps run so far this season, ANOTHER TOUCH (NAP) (best price 9-4) should find life a good deal easier with his sights lowered considerably this afternoon. Runner-up to Banksea in the Spring Cup at Newbury, the son of Arcano had the likes of Fastnet Tempest, Master Carpenter and Fanciful Angel (all won since) behind him that day and he went on to prove that run was no fluke with another tremendous effort in the Hambleton Handicap at York. Although no match for the winner, Here Comes Now, Richard Fahey’s inmate came out best of those held up off the pace and with the time figure of that race on the Knavesmire suggesting it’s seriously good form, he should be capable of dealing with today’s seven opponents (his three wins have all come in single-figure fields).

There’s no getting away from then fact the conditions of this race suit Hidden Cyclone, but it’s been a while since he went chasing and he does arrive here under a slight cloud having been slightly disappointing at Fairyhouse last time out, so he’s worth taking on at the prices with SADLERS RISK (best price 11-4) and SANDYMOUNT DUKE (best price 13-2). Following a victory over last year’s Galway Plate hero Lord Scoundrel here in October, the former was deemed good enough to take on Grade 1 company at Down Royal next time out, and although he failed in his bid to claim his biggest prize to date, he still ran with great credit to take fourth behind the very smart Valseur Lido. Finding the combination of 3m, soft ground and hurdles of little use to him last time out, Henry De Bromhead’s inmate returns to the sort of conditions which suit him best (2m 4f on good ground) and in a race that should be run at a sound tempo, he has plenty of bases covered to notch his third win at tonight’s track. The latter looks a million based on the official ratings, but he’s no forlorn hope given that all his best form has taken place in small field conditions races on fast ground. Indeed, his best performance last season came this time last year when he was beaten only three lengths by Bellshill in a Grade 1 over today’s course and following a run which is bound to have bought him on fitness-wise here 32 days ago, Jessica Harrington’s inmate is likely to punch above his weight.

MACS LEGEND (best price 7-1) was unlucky not to score over hurdles last time out at Clonmel, but there’s every chance he will gave some compensation here under ideal conditions. Looking to have matters under control going down to the second last at the Co Tipperary venue, the Blueprint gelding unfortunately made a complete Horlicks of the flight and given that there wasn’t enough time left to recover from such a blunder, he eventually had to settle for a minor role. Prior to that untimely incident, Mary Hallahan’s charge had run creditably in a race which is working out extremely well at Cork and now back over fences on ground that will suit, the nine-year-old is expected to put up a bold show from the front.

BALLARD DOWN (best price 9-2) is in terrific heart at present and his excellent run of form looks set to continue at a track where he’s gone extremely well in the past. Runner-up to The Warrior on his seasonal return over tonight’s C&D back in March, William Knight’s gelding turned what looked a competitive little race on paper at Wolverhampton last time out into a romp and given how much he appeared to have in hand over his five rivals that evening, a 7lb rise may not be enough to prevent him from going in again. Hopefully the visor on for the first time that day will have the desired effect again and from his favourable inside draw, it’s hard to see the son of Canford Cliffs not having a huge say in the outcome.