Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Largely out of form in accordance to his stable’s dismal patch earlier in the season, ERIK THE RED (best price 17-2) bounced back to life at Doncaster on his latest outing at the same time his yard came out of the doldrums, and Kevin Ryan’s inmate is fancied to go well at a track where he’s ran up to a decent standard in the past. Wearing the cheekpieces for the second time, the son of Kendargent proved too strong for his seven opponents and with the overall speed figure of that victory on Town Moor suggesting it was a sparkling effort for the grade, there’s every reason to feel upbeat about his chance today despite having to overcome a career-high perch. 

DAL HARRAILD (best price 9-2) is capable of posting some big numbers when conditions are in his favour and with one of those efforts coming over today’s C&D two starts ago, confidence is high the easy-moving chestnut can repeat the dose on his return visit to the Knavesmire. On his first try over 1m 6f, William Haggas’ inmate impressed by the way he strode out in the latter stages of a well-run affair and although he failed to run to the same level next time out at Royal Ascot, the decision to try and make the running while dropping back in trip backfired at a track where it’s very difficult for front runners to dominate. Hopefully connections will revert to hold-up tactics here today, and with the ground continuing to dry out, everything looks in place for a big performance. 

There were plenty of hard-luck stories in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last time out, none more so than SO BELOVED (best price 17-2) who is fancied to atone for the brutal trip he experienced that afternoon on the downs. Noted travelling well in behind the speed, David O’Meara’s inmate went into more pockets than a snooker ball inside the final two furlongs and finishing full of running, he charged through the line leaving the feeling of what might have been. Back on a more conventional track where he has gone well before, the son of Dansili has his optimum conditions to put up a bold show. 

Al Hajar is bound to be all the rage following his promising debut effort over today’s C&D last time out, but he faces a tough opponent in the shape of AL BARG (best price 6-1) who has already run to a pretty high standard twice on the speed figures and is much more attractive price. Runner-up to the useful Veejay on his debut at Haydock, Richard Hannon’s inmate put that vital experience he gained to good use next time out at Windsor when despite pulling hard in the early stages, he ran out a fairly comfortable winner. Looking the type to be better suited by a bigger field and more even gallop, the son of Acclamation rates a strong each-way recommendation against the hotpot.

GEORGE (best price 11-2), inexplicably got blocked in with nowhere to go in a six-runner race at Kempton last time out, and as a result, ended up being a slightly unlucky loser. Travelling as well as anything turning for home in a steadily run race, Sylvester Kirk’s inmate then got caught out as the runners made a mad dash to the line from the cutaway, and with Pat Dobbs somehow managing to steer his mount down the only blind alley available, the son of Dragon Pulse effectively had his winning chance ended in a heartbeat. To his credit, however, he did manage to rally well enough to snatch second and in hitting the line quite hard, he gave the impression that it’s only a matter of time before he finally gets his head in front.

TOUCH OF GOLD (best price 7-1) has been in terrific form over hurdles lately and she’s taken to transfer that level of performance on her first run on the level for 259 days. Often a bridesmaid but never the bride, the daughter of Papal Bull finally came good at the 14th time of asking when landinga competitive handicap over tonight’s course and just like London buses, she managed to repeat the dose on her latest outing at Tramore. Seemingly seeing her races out better than what was the case previously, Michael Kennedy’s returns to the scene of one of her best performances and with plenty of confidence behind her chances and with Pat Smullen booked, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t go close off a mark of just 65 (106 over hurdles). 

A SIZING NETWORK (NAP) (best price 5-2) took his field along at a hell of a gallop over tonight’s C&D last night out and although he didn’t quite manage to complete the job, in finishing miles clear of the rest, he left the impression it’s surely only a matter of time before he gains his just rewards over fences. 0-12 over the larger obstacles going into that ultra-competitive handicap, Jessica Harrington’s gelding had many more experienced rivals at full stretch by halfway and if it wasn’t for the revitalised Nobody Home who bounced back to his best from left-field, he wouldn’t be scratching around trying to win a beginners chase here tonight. Having run well against the likes of Royal Caviar and Tully East when previously with Mouse Morris, the son of Network has clearly been rubbing shoulders with much better horses than those he faces this evening and with the distinct possibility that he will gain another early uncontested lead, hopefully tonight will be the night when the cards finally fall in his favour.