Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

There was hardly anything between WEST APPROACH (best price 13-8) and Ballyoptic on the pick on their hurdles form, but preference is for the former on account of his impressive display on chase debut at Ffos Las and his better record over today’s track than his main rival. Not too far off the very top of the tree in the 3m staying hurdling division, Colin Tizzard’s made the perfect start to life over fences with a polished display of sound jumping and powerful galloping, and with the time figure of the race in question at the Welsh venue reading well and form boosted by runner-up Jameson at Sandown last weekend, confidence is high he can confirm last season’s Cleeve Hurdle placings with his old advisory.

HAPPY DIVA (best price 9-4) was heavily involved in what turned out to be a very strongly-run beginners chase on fencing debut and a repeat of the same level of performance will make her extremely hard to beat here this afternoon. Jumping soundly throughout, Kerry Lee’s mare couldn’t be faulted with her application to the job at hand, she just plain and simply wasn’t capable of keeping up the relentless gallop all the way to the line off the back of her 188-day layoff over a trip that was someway short of her best. Although she strictly has a bit to find with her old rival, Lastbutnotleast, on their clash at Doncaster last season, her all-important experience over the larger obstacles should give her the sort of advantage that will hopefully allow her to turn the tables and hailing from a stable that have just run into a nice bit of form at present, the daughter of King’s Theatre rates the value call.

CHARLES MOLSON (best price 13-2) had to be deemed a slightly unfortunate loser at Lingfield last time out and he’s taken to back up that view in this similar contest. Dropped out from his high draw, Pat Chaming’s inmate was obviously ridden for luck to a certain degree here 16 days ago, but given the way he finished off his race inside the final two furlongs, there’s little doubt he would have had a huge say in the final argument had he received a better rub of the green down the lane. Although he’s yet to race over today’s mile trip, he certainly suggested last time that an extra furlong wouldn’t be a problem and with Jim Crowley reunited in the saddle, the combination are worth chancing at the prices.

LE PREZIEN (best price 8-1) and FOXTAIL HILL (best price 10-1) fought out a tremendous finish to a competitive 2m contest over today’s course at the Showcase meeting and with that form looking as good as anything carried forward into the first real big handicap chase of the season, the pair are worth playing against the field. Although the former came out second best 21 days ago, it wouldn’t come as the biggest shock in the world if he were to turn the tables because he had to make up a tremendous amount in the hottest part of what was an extremely strongly-run race. Despite going down by a narrow margin, he managed to post the best sectional times of the 15-strong field that day (2.44.1 compared to Foxtail Hill 2.46.6) and with a huge gap back to the third, the performance he produced has to go down as a career-high. Moreover, if we needed any more evidence how strong the form is, the well-beaten fifth, Doitforthevillage was there to provide us with a timely reminder here yesterday and even though there has to be a slight nagging doubt as to whether a well-run 2m 4f will find him out, he has the class to still warrant a decent bet.

The latter proved in landing that race 21 days ago that he has a proper engine and representing a yard that always has to be feared in this prestigious prize, the six-year-old is a must for any shortlist. Given the amount of all-round pace he showed from the start that day, there’s a chance he might have difficulty being as fully effective over 4f longer, but to counteract that argument, he did manage to score over 2m 5f at the New Course on testing ground last winter so that piece of evidence offers plenty of comfort on that score. Although there are several others who like to bowl along, they are likely to be going too fast for their own good if they try to match strides with of the son of Dr Massini, and providing he can obtain an uncontested lead in the early stages, he should provide a bold sight from the front. Guitar Pete, a winner in a fast time at Wetherby last time out, is another to consider at much bigger odds.

RED INDIAN (best price 7-1) really ought to have beaten Golden Birthday when last seen in May (wandered under pressure) and given the subsequent exploits of his conqueror that day, Ben Pauling’s inmate has the look of a well-treated horse on handicap debut. Prior to that fine effort, the son of Sulamani had narrowly failed to supplement previous Ffos Las gains when making the long trek up north to Kelso, but as the very bad ground that day was provided as a genuine excuse, this good-moving type is strongly-fancied to put up a bold show under ideal conditions.

VIVAS (best price 14-1)  ran with great credit in a smart race for the grade at the last meeting and he looks booked to go well again under similar conditions. Although no match for easy winner, Master Dancer, Charlie Longsdon’s inmate posted a fair set of numbers in finishing a game second and a repeat of that level of form should ensure the six-year-old easily outruns his odds.

OUTOFTHISOWRLD (NAP) (best price 3-1) lived up to her name with what can only be described a spectacular display on debut at Market Rasen and this exciting prospect can add further value to her stock to her breeding shed price tag by adding the all-important black type onto her CV. Nicely backed to make a winning start at the Lincolnshire venue, Harry Fry’s inmate justified her position in the market with some aplomb and the way she just kept lengthening her stride all the way to the line once given the office three furlongs out, marks her down as a mare of some potential. Although she clearly faces some stern and well-fancied opponents here this afternoon, the nature of this course should really suit the daughter of Shantou and it’s easy to envisage her powering up the hill once in full flow.