Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

Having won this race with the likes of Jealous Again, Acapulco and Lady Aurelia in recent times, Happy Like A Fool is clearly going to be a popular choice for Wesley Ward fans and given how well she won at Keeneland on her debut (showed bright speed before staying on strongly in latter stages), it’s easy to see why many will be seduced. Whether being asked to take 5-4 in a 20-strong field of juveniles, however, is your bag, is obviously down to personal choice, so the safer/wisest option might be to look towards HEARTACHE (best price 13-2) from an each-way perspective. Hailing from a stable that are not frightened to have winners here at this meeting, Clive Cox’s inmate couldn’t have been any more impressive on her racecourse debut at Bath. Despite running a little green in the earlier exchanges, the Kyllachy filly picked in the style of a very smart juvenile inside the final furlong and in quickly assuming command, she pulled readily clear of her field to score in a very fast time (easily the best of three juvenile races on the card). Just to show how good the form is, the well-beaten third, Lynn’s Memory, scored nicely on her next outing back at the same track over the weekend and having an attitude to match her ability, this exciting filly should fly the flag for the home-based runners with distinction.

A Grade 1 winner in her native South Africa, SMART CALL (best price 13-2) ran a very pleasing race on her first start for new connections at York last time out and hailing from a stable that have a terrific record in this race over the years (won it four times since its inauguration in 2004), Sir Michael Stoute’s charge can be expected to put up a bold display. Held up out the back door in a field of four, the daughter of Ideal World took a while to find top stride once the pace increased with three to run, but picking up nicely in the closing stages, she finished off a race to such a degree, she left the impression she would be a totally different proposition under normal race conditions next time. Nicely draw in the middle, a well-run stiff mile should suit and she looks like one the likelier types to cause a shock outside the big three in the betting.

The Victoria Cup over today’s course back in May often has huge bearing on the outcome of this traditional mile cavalry charge one month on, so the winner that day, FASTNET TEMPEST (best price 10-1) has be on most punters’ shortlist. Universally excepted as the one to take out of the competitive Spring Cup at Newbury earlier in the campaign (travelled like the best horse throughout), William Haggas’ inmate made the expected leap forward with that all-important run under his belt and this race has been the target ever since. Arriving here via a remarkable last-to-first victory at Chester last time only well to confirm his wellbeing and from a nice middle draw, the son of Fastnet Rock should put up another bold show.

Although out of the money in the Victoria Cup, HORS DE COMBAT (best price 20-1) ran a good deal better than his final finishing and, in going some small way to confirming his love for today’s track that day, he should easily be capable of running beyond his market expectation. Held up off the speed 39 days ago, Denis Coakley’s charge was coming with what looked like a potent challenge going down to the furlong pole when he found a wall of horses blocking his path. Finishing off his race with some gusto once out in the clear, however, he left the impression he would have been much closer to the main action with a clearer run, and having run to a decent standard virtually every time he’s set foot on the Berkshire turf, the Mount Nelson gelding looks a big price at 25-1. 

Plenty arrive here in good form, none more so than SCHINDLER’S PRINCE (best price 9-2), and as he has a superior record around today’s track than most of his rivals, odds of 6-1 look on the big side. Unbeaten in two previous visits to the Midland venue, Katy Price’s charge completed the hat trick two weeks ago when gamely fending off Dursey Sound and Highway Storm and with the speed figure he posted pointing towards the race being a useful one of its kind, hope is high that he can repeat the dose off only a 4lb higher mark.

RUNYON RATTLER (best price 9-2) had a big field of useful handicappers shot to pieces going down to the last at Punchestown last time out and if it wasn’t for the power-packed finish of Jessica Harrington’s Bobabout, the seven-year-old would have run out a deserved winner. Clearly in excellent heart on the evidence of that brave effort, the Runyon gelding should be more suited by tonight’s more speedier examination and having scored with any amount in hand on his last visit to tonight’s C&D, his proven track form can also count for plenty.

Rain-softened ground totally scuppered JACK FLASH (best price 7-2) at York last time out, but now back on a decent surface and at a track where he’s gone well before, there’s every chance Les Eyre’s inmate will bounce back to his best form. Making all the running in the first-time hood over today’s C&D in April, the son of Dark Angel not only clocked an incredibly fast time, he also lowered the colours of the very speedy Copper Knight in the process (won two competitive handicaps since). Well drawn one away from the fence tonight, hopefully he can ping the lids and assume his usual front running role.

MULLINAVAT (best price 3-1) ran out an impressive winner when last visiting tonight’s C&D and he looks booked to go well again following a solid effort in defeat over hurdles last time out. Having only his fourth start over fences, Henry De Bromhead’s charge really appreciated the strong fractions he got to run at that day and as there appears to be no shortage of pace on here this evening courtesy of Bitview Colin and Archive in the line-up, a repeat success looks on the cards.