Andy Holding has four horses to keep your eyes on today.
Southwell 13:30
TUNNEL CREEK (best price 6-1) ran well enough in a race which is working out a treat at Taunton last time out and he’s worth a small interest regain the winning thread. Successful on his first start for new connections at Worcester in September, Olly Murphy’s charge was by no means disgraced despite failing to justify favouritism in a similar contest at Ludlow next time and even though the same fate awaiting him 20 days ago, the numbers suggest he still ran to fair standard for the grade. As we saw last week, the winner of that race, Midnight Gypsy, is a useful yardstick with regards the value of the form and with the first-time blinkers a possible source of improvement, the Tobougg gelding should turn out to be a big player if running to the same level.
Conor Dore’s National Hunt runners in recent weeks have bared fruit and TOWERING (best price 7-1), one of those responsible for Lincolnshire handler’s upturn in fortunes in that department, looks booked to go well at a track that should suit. A useful sort back in the day for Nicky Henderson, the son of Catcher In The Rye had rather lost his way until bouncing back to something like his best form at Uttoxeter two starts ago and that was backed up with another positive display at Carlisle when last seen. Despite wasting plenty of energy by refusing to settle, the eight-year-old kept on extremely bravely to finish a creditable runner-up at the Cumbrian venue and with Paddy Brennan back on board this afternoon, the combination make plenty of appeal, also.
Southwell 14:00
EQUUS SECRETUS (best price 9-4) might well have only won by a small margin on his rules debut, but he left the impression he was rather saving a bit for himself in front and he’s expected to give the favourite here, Another Stowaway, all the trouble he can handle despite the form of Tom George’s inmate behind subsequent Cheltenham scorer, On The Blind Side looking pretty strong. A former point winner, Ben Pauling’s charge was well-fancied to make a winning hurdling debut and showing plenty of battling qualities in the later stages, he made all the running to fend off the persistent challenge of the strongly-fancied favourite, El Presidente. Moreover, the speed he posted suggested he’s got plenty of natural speed to go with his stamina and with Daryl Jacob likely to go out and make this a proper test, the son of Brian Boru will certainly want to die not knowing.
14:10 Lingfield
MIDDLE KINGDOM (NAP) (best price 6-4) gave the impression he was just in need of the outing when getting turned over at short odds at Chelmsford last time out and he’s fancied to makes amends with that all-important run under his belt. Unbeaten in two previous outings, John Gosden’s inmate was a warm order to complete the hat trick at the Essex venue and although there were times when he looked likely to justify his market position, his 204-day absence and the way the race developed just found him out close home. Unlike his main market rival today, Celestial Spheres, the son of War Front has a favourable draw towards the inside, so providing he pings out of the lids and gets into a decent early position, the lightly-raced three-year-old should prove hard to beat.
