Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

ARTHUR’S GIFT (best price 9-2) scored in the style of a rapidly improving sort at Worcester last week and although he has a bit to find to turn the tables on his old rival Psychedelic Rock, today’s rain-softened ground just might help the balance of power tip in his favour. Although beaten fair and square by Ian William’s inmate back in October, the son of Presenting left the impression there were plenty of races to be won with him in due course and he didn’t waste too much time in backing up that theory with a smooth success back over the same C&D last time. The way he went through that contest before sealing the issue in the home straight points towards a horse right on top of his game at present and representing a team that are in a rich vein of form currently, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate looks rock-solid each-way fodder at his morning odds.

CANELO (best price 9-4) had the misfortune to bump into a useful type in the shape of Polydora on rules debut at Chepstow several weeks ago, but the time figure he posted in defeat still suggested he should be good enough to break his maiden tag sooner rather than later. Without wanting to take anything away from the winner at the Welsh venue, crucial mistakes four out and the last by Alan King’s gelding ultimately cost him the race and providing he can iron out some of those errors here this afternoon, he should be capable of giving Storm Home a decent test, who shaped well himself on his opening bow at Wincanton recently.

TURASOIR (best price 10-1) clearly enjoys racing around the contours of today’s sharp track based on her form figures of 312 and another solid run looks in the offing from John Nicholson’s charge if her latest effort is anything to go by. Off the mark at the 17th time of asking back in October, the daughter of Fast Company was unlucky to bump into the well-handicapped Like An Open Book on her return visit to the Co Tipperary venue 14 days ago, but she still impressed by the way she kept on willingly in the latter stages to finish well clear of the rest. Prior that smart effort, she also had the misfortune to bump into the likes of similarly improving types in the shape of Granny Biddy and Mullinavat and having already proven herself over today’s extra distance, it would be a surprise if she wasn’t in the first four at the very least.

STREET OF DREAMS (NAP) (best price 5-2) made a promising start to life out in the desert under new connections at the opening meeting and with that all-important run under his belt, Doug Watson’s makes plenty of appeal in a maiden where very few count. Previously with Godolphin in the UK, the son of Shamardal was coming back after a lengthy layoff here two weeks ago and following a slightly tardy start, he found himself in a poor track position as the field rounded the home turn. He did, however, come home pretty strongly down the lane to get within hailing distance of the winner, who got first run at a crucial stage, and the way he hit the line suggested he still had plenty of running left under the bonnet. Moreover, the overall time was the best on the seven-race card and with the four-year-old’s closing sectionals also reading well, a decent break and better early position this time around should provide him with a perfect platform to break his maiden tag.