Andy Holding's Friday Horse Racing Tips

As it turned out, HELLFIRE (NAP) (best price 6-4) was beaten by the draw more than anything else two nights ago at Kempton, but given how much ground she made up to finish a never-nearer second to Believe It, it just goes to prove her current wellbeing. Finding herself with only one horse behind her turning for home after being dropped out from her coffin box draw in stall 13, Hughie Morrison’s charge, however, managed to post the fastest split time on the card from thee out of 35.1 (next best Tegara 35.5 – Don’t Give Up 35.7) and those findings suggests she’s currently running way better than her mark of 67 would imply. Unlikely to get too far away from the speed here with only three rivals, she should be well placed enough in order to utilise her turn of foot down the home straight and hailing from a stable in-form, the daughter of Archipenko makes plenty of appeal.

OMEGA SPRINGS (best price 14-1) has only score once in 20 starts, so is hardly maximum stakes material, but he does go particularly well around tonight’s circuit and that is one of the main reasons why he looks slightly overpriced in what appears a wide-open affair. Although yet to win here in five attempts, the son of Great Exhibition has finished second on his last two visits to the Co Tipperary venue and arriving here following a much better effort than his finishing position suggests at Punchestown last time out (got little luck in running), he should easily be capable of putting up a bold show at rewarding odds.

KYLLANG ROCK (best price 7-2) travelled like the best horse in the race at York last time out only to be worried out of the argument in the dying strides, but he’s fancied to go well again under similar conditions to those he faced on the Knavesmire. Although the official ratings said he had no chance in the five-runner listed contest at the Dante meeting, James Tate’s gelding belied his market expectation with a decent effort in defeat and with his pilot, Martin Harley, bound to have come away from that race with valuable lessons learnt, hopefully the Irishman can play an even more patient waiting game on the smooth-travelling son of Kyllachy this time around.

BALNASLOW (best price 11-4) categorically proved he’s one of the best hunter chasers around at present with a scintillating victory at the Punchestown Festival last time and he can round off his season in the best possible fashion by capturing this prestigious prize. The son of Presenting has always been a fair sort, but it’s only now that he’s really beginning to flourish in this new discipline and his performances at Cheltenham and Aintree served notice that he’ll be a real force to be reckoned with in the next few seasons. Having just about the pick of the British and Irish contingent behind him at the latter venue and the Co Kildare track last time, Graham McKeever’s inmate comes here at the peak of his powers with everything seemingly in his favour.