Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Although MADELINE (best price 12-1) technically has a bit to find with Threading on their Lowther encounter, there still looks to be too big a price discrepancy between the pair and she has to be worth a small interest to see whether she can turn the tables on a different day and track. Going into that race on the Knavesmire off the back of a big win on the figures in a listed contest at Newbury (Another Batt won since), Roger Varian’s charge just found herself a little lit up with no cover from her wide draw and while it would be churlish at the same time to crib the winner – who did precious little wrong – it couldn’t have helped her finishing effort inside the final two furlongs. That said, she kept on well enough to indicate her heart is in the right place at least and today’s track and ground should also suit.

MAYLEAF SHINE (best price 9-2) clocked a massive speed figure when scoring over today’s C&D under similar conditions last time out, so there appears no real reason to desert Iain Jardine’s inmate on her repeat bid 21 days on. Not only was her furlong-per-furlong time on a par with Harry Angel that day, her final three-furlongs sectional was also akin to the one posted by Clive Cox’s superstar sprinter, so based on those findings, just a 5lb rise shouldn’t be enough to prevent the daughter of Mayson from another bold bid.

Although beaten on merit that day, SOIE D’LEAU (best price 9-1) has seen gone on to run out a comfortable winner of a conditions event in his own right and thus rubber-stamp his wellbeing. He, too, clearly loves a scrap in the mud and having run well numerous times at today’s track, another big performance can be expected of Kristin Stubb’s inmate, also. 

CAPTAIN DION (best price 5-1) showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals when bouncing back to form at Pontefract two days ago and he has the perfect platform in stall one to dish out a similar bashing to the opposition here this afternoon. Setting strong fractions from the start at the Yorkshire track, Kevin Ryan’s inmate never looked like getting caught and although he’s yet to race around the tight contours of the Roodee, he has a run-style which lends itself to the layout of the course.

Conditions at the Co Kilkenny venue yesterday were pretty filthy, but testing ground won’t hinder MINE NOW's (NAP) (best price 15-2) cause one bit and he has a fine chance to keep his unbeaten track record intact despite the competitive nature of the field. A winner here over the C&D back in 2015, Peter Fahey’s inmate repeated the dose on his most recent visit back in February, staying on strongly in the latter stages of a well-run affair to post a career-high performance. Although he’s failed to add to his tally in four subsequent starts, he’s still run to a fairly decent level in defeat and his latest effort when a creditable runner-up in a keenly-contested affair at Killarney only served notice that this ever-reliable sort is currently in rude health.

This has been the target for BIG COUNTRY (best price 11-1) for quite a while and with Michael Appleby’s charge having all the right credentials for the rigours of this prestigious prize (race often won by a horse who stays a bit further), he rates a seriously good each-way bet if you shop around for all the fancy place terms available (Skybet and William Hill pay down to eight places). Shrewdly purchased by current connections from the Charles O’Brien stable, the son of High Chaparral hit the ground running with two quick victories on the all-weather – both in fast times – and although he failed in his hat trick bid over today’s course next time, he just gave the impression that 1m 4f stretched his stamina to the limit. Unsurprisingly, his two best subsequent performances have come about since dropping back down two furlongs and his effort when runner-up in the John Smith’s when last seen in July, represents a career-high level of form from the four-year-old (winner Ballet Concerto gone on to win two Group 3’s and is now rated 118). Often a strong traveller through his races, a well-run race over this unique trip with a bit of give in the ground should turn out to be ideal for this big, strapping sort and providing he’s drawn in the right place, there’s every reason to expect a big run.

BROROCCO (best price 12-1) landed traditionally one of the best trails for the Cambridgeshire at Newbury with a bit up his sleeve seven days ago (idled once hit the front), and he also has the right requirements for the test this race often provides. The way he cruised into contention before sealing the prize at the Berkshire track with a smart turn of foot points towards Andrew Balding’s inmate being right on top of his game at present and on the evidence of yesterday’s Silver Cambridgeshire when the first three home came up the stands side rail in the last two furlongs, being housed two off the nearside fence might not be a bad place to be for this in-form four-year-old.