Andy Holding Saturday Horse Racing Tips

PALLASATOR (best price 3-1) isn’t the most robust of characters, but there’s no doubting his natural ability and following a facile success in a charity race at Punchestown recently where he beat the useful pair Monksland and Tiger Roll without turning a hair, he’s fancied to make an impact on his eagerly-awaited hurdling debut. A 113-rated horse on the Flat at his best, it’s fair to say the son of Motivator probably didn’t win the number of races his talent warranted but the fact of the matter remains he still managed to land Group 3 and Group 2 contests respectively and that touch of class should stand him good stead when it comes to turning his attentions to the winter game. Without getting too carried away with his romp on his first outing for his new yard last time, it was still good to see him go through the race with a degree of swagger and with reports that his schooling over hurdles couldn’t have gone any better, Gordon Elliot’s inmate has all the hallmarks of being the new Labaik (a similarly quirky type).

SECRET DOOR (best price 6-1) has yet to finish out of the money in nine starts and that record makes her a solid each-way proposition in this competitive mares’ only contest. Winner of the valuable mares’ series at Haydock last season, Harry Fry’s inmate shaped as though lack of a previous outing and 3m just stretched her stamina to the limit on bad ground at Uttoxeter last time out but a return to a flat, right-handed track over today’s shorter trip should prove ideal for this likable and consistent mare.

Evan Williams seems to have his team in excellent shape at present and the Welsh handler appears to hold a strong hand in this contest with both POBBLES BAY (best price 9-1) and On Tour holding first-rate claims. The former, however, makes the most appeal at the prices based on the fact his best performance on the figures came first time out at Uttoxeter last season in what turned out to be a red-hot piece of handicap form. Backing up that display next time out at Chepstow, the son of Oscar was slightly disappointing when last seen in a listed race at Warwick, but in mitigation, he was up against the very talented American, who never missed a beat around that sharp track, and he just never seemed to get into any sort of rhythm that day. Back on a flat, left-handed track over 2m 4f on soft ground, the seven-year-old should be capable of a big run if somewhere near his best after a 301-day absence.

A complex little affair where chances can be found for most, but FLYING TIGER (best price 11-2) has race-fitness on his side and with appreciate the rain-softened ground more than most so he rates the percentage call at the prices. Winner of the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival last season, found the combination of fast ground and pulling too hard early leading to his demise in the big Grade 1 juvenile contest at Aintree a month later. Presumably, connections have had this race in mind for a while as they gave the son of Soldier Of Fortune a spin on the Flat last month and with that comeback run resulting in a tremendous effort behind Danehill Kodiac in a Group 3 at Ascot, the four-year-old should be at fever-pitch for his return to the winter game. Given that Lough Derg Spirit looks the main threat on paper, a cheeky little wager in the betting without Nicky Henderson’s potentially useful sort is worth a small interest, too. 

TOWERLANDS PARK (best price 10-1) was entitled to need the run after a 325-day layoff at Newbury last time out, but even so, he still ran a tremendous race in the circumstances and he looks primed to go well being one of a handful seemingly on the right side of the handicapper. Having his first run after being gelded, Michael Bell’s inmate impressed how well he moved throughout that strongly-run contest at the Berkshire venue and although he couldn’t quite match the front two for pace inside the final furlong, he kept on well enough to suggest he retains all his ability. Given that the winner, Century Dream, could turn out to be a potent force in Group races next season and, the fourth horse home, Awake My Soul, has gone on to land a competitive handicap subsequently, the form looks well above-average and with the potential of more to come over further, the son of Danehill Dancer makes plenty of appeal at his top morning odds.

The West Country venue is due a proper soaking throughout the day, so by the time they run this race, it will become a real slog and that should suit FINAL NUDGE (NAP) (best price 16-1) down to the ground. A winner first time out last year, David Dennis’ charge went on to enjoy a pretty lucrative first season over fences and if it wasn’t for an unlucky fall four out when going as well as any in the Midland National at Uttxoxter on his penultimate start, he would have put the icing on the cake to go along with his other three victories. Slightly disappointing on ground way too quick for him on final start at Ayr back in April, the son of Kayf Tara returns to the fray on a handy mark and he looks a massive price based on his overall profile. 

LUANG PRABANG (best price 4-1) seems to enjoy the services of Hollie Doyle and racing on the Tapeta service, so there’s no obvious reason why the combination won’t go well again at the Dunstall Park venue. A previous winner over 7f at the Midland track last year, Chris Wall’s inmate proved equally effective over tonight’s C&D last time out and with the overall time figure and sectionals suggesting she posted excellent numbers for the grade, she rates solid each-way material at a course where she’s yet to finish out of the money in three starts.