Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase was muted as a possible target for SAM RED (best price 5-2) following his convincing victory at Stratford, so this should be well within his compass based on those lofty plans. A shade disappointing on fast ground on his final outing last season, Dan Skelton’s inmate was much more at home with some ease underfoot at the Midland venue and with his time figure that day indicating it was a fair performance by the six-year-old, another solid round of jumping should see him put it up to the front two in the market.

Reckless Lad is easily the pick of this bunch on ratings and track form, but all his best performances have come over 7f/1m, so there could be a little value to be had with SIERRA LAW (best price 25-1) who has been in decent nick of late over hurdles. A smooth winner at Down Royal three starts ago, Karl Thornton’s inmate arguably ran just as well next time out at Kilbeggan as he was trying to contend with subsequent winner Kilkeaskins First on ground he wouldn’t have enjoyed. Although well beaten in the end last time out, the combination of racing too freely on soft ground in a strongly-run race at Fairyhouse took its toll in the latter stages (looked like the winner on the home turn) and with the form of that race at the Meath venue taking a huge boost with the winner, second and fourth all finishing in the money at Punchestown yesterday, the son of Lawman looks to be overpriced on his return to the Flat (only raced in Sweden so far to date).

The one you can set your clock by in these sort of races is SIX SILVER LANE (best price 8-1) and he looks to be a solid each-way proposition at the prices in anyone’s language. As reliable as a border collie, John Feane’s inmate ran right up to his best form last time out despite 1m 4f just stretching his stamina to the limit and he’s better judged on his effort the time before when fending off a whole series of challengers to record a brave C&D win. Although he could have done with a better draw, hopefully a good clean break and a positive ride into the first corner should ensure the nine-year-old is on the speed early and he looks booked to go well again at a track he knows like the back of his hand.

BRISK TEMPO (best price 6-1) shaped with plenty of promise on debut at Kempton and he’s fancied to be a good deal more competitive with that initial run under his belt. In a race run at a steady early tempo, a slow beginning and greenness meant the son of Dabirsim found himself towards the back of the field with plenty to do as the field turned for home, but doing some really nice work in the closing stages, he gave out the kind of signals to suggest he would be a totally different proposition next time with that all-important experience under his belt. Looking at his action, today’s stiff, uphill track should suit his stride to a tee and nicely draw in the middle so he can gain plenty of early cover, Richard Fahey’s inmate makes quite a bit of each-way appeal in a racw where nothing in particular stands out on form.

Whether MAGWADIRI (best price 11-2) can give the still-leniently treated Boxer Dunford a significant head start is open to question, but either way, Paul Deegan’s inmate shapes like he, too, is a good bit better than his official rating currently and at the prices, he looks the percentage each-way call. Often slowly away and held up, that run-style didn’t suit the way the race panned out on his opening all-weather bow here 14 days ago, but the way he finished off his race suggested there will be plenty of races to be won with him during the course of the winter. Coming home in an impressive 35.2 from the three pole, the son of Casamento did extremely well to claim third close home and even though tonight’s trip might just be a little short of his best (has run well over 7f), he has enough latent ability to feature if he’s within shouting distance of the pace-setters turning for home. As mentioned, Boxer Dunford has the look of a well-handicapped horse going forward for this all-weather campaign and he could well be worth a small saver for those that don’t mind playing two in a race.

Winner of this race in 2015, TAKE COVER (NAP) (best price 7-4) is arguably in even better shape on his return visit to Ireland’s only all-weather track and given that he’s also been handed the perfect stall for his run-style, David Griffiths’ inmate should prove hard to catch if pinging the lids in usual bright fashion. Winner of three races in this age-defying season, his latest victory came courtesy of another gate-to-wire explosion of pure speed and with the time figure he posted that day suggesting it was one of his best ever career performances, it makes sense to keep the 10-year-old on side while in unstoppable form. 

The race won by Invincible Ryker here two weeks ago was noted for its strong gallop throughout and having caught the eye by the way they finished off the pace, both PIPES OF PEACE (best price 8-1) and PERFECT TAPATINO (best price 33-1) are worth a small interest now racing over a furlong further on their return visits. The former has been a shade disappointing since finishing a creditable fourth in a hot maiden behind Cliffs Of Moher at Leopardstown this time last year, but there have been mitigating circumstances surrounding several of his efforts since, including last time out when the ground was far from ideal. Back on a sound surface, the son of Galileo is afforded another chance.

The latter ran way beyond market expectation on his debut and with just normal improvement it’s not beyond the realms of possibility he can get himself into the mix. Although he wasn’t flashing home by any stretch of the imagination, he was keeping on willingly enough to suggest there’s plenty to work on for the future, and hailing from a stable that should never be underestimated here, a run better than his odds predict should be forthcoming from his favourable inside draw.