Andy Holding Saturday Horse Racing Tips

MIDNIGHT SHADOW (best price 5-1) typifies his trainer, being a tough, resolute galloper and even though his future undoubtable lies over fences, he proved first time out over hurdles that he can pay his way until that day arrives. Other than one slightly below-par run at Newbury last season, Sue Smith’s inmate had a decent time of things in bumpers and it was quite a surprise in many respects that he was left to go off a relatively unconsidered 11-1 poke on his timber bow at Uttoxter last month. In a field which clearly contained plenty of well-fancied rivals, the son of Midnight Legend stayed on strongest of all to mow down his quarry late on, and with the likelihood of him being fairly aggressively ridden here this afternoon in order to make his stamina play, the four-year-old makes plenty of appeal around a track that prominent racers have a good record. 

POLYDORA (best price 14-1) may have been an unconsidered 25-1 poke when winning on hurdling debut at Chepstow last month, but there appeared nothing fluky about the performance and with the runner-up and fourth going on to back up that view when fighting out the finish of a similar race at Wincanton on Thursday, Tom Lacey’s inmate surely has a better chance than his morning odds imply. Not only that, his winning time also backed up the visually impression of the display and with today’s extra yardage seen as another positive, the son of Milan is certainly good enough to make his presence felt. 

COURTOWN OSCAR (best price 5-2) returned to action with all guns blazing at Carlisle last time out and this died-in-the-wool stayer looks primed to serve it up to his seven rivals from the front. Setting out to make it a proper test at the Cumbrian track, Philip Kirby’s inmate just would not lie down even when headed on several occasions and seeing it out all the way to the line, he just simply had too much guts and determination when it counted most. Likely to be ridden in a similarly aggressive fashion once again, the son of Oscar will make sure his opponents have to go through the pain barrier to beat him at the very least.

The really good horses can make running through heavy ground look easy and that turned out to be the case as far as SHARJAH (NAP) (best price 11-8) was concerned on his Irish debut over today’s C&D and he’s strongly fancied to take this step up in class in his stride. Always travelling strongly in what turned out to be a well-run affair, Willie Mullins’ inmate really impressed by the way he quickened inside the final half a mile and with the likes of the well-beaten pair Ten Ten and Disc Donc going on to boost the form at Down Royal next time (first and second), this potentially very classy sort rates a decent bet to justify coming here rather than tackling the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse next weekend. 

The form of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month has worked out a treat (Louis’ Vac Pouch, Bags Groove and Drumcliff all won since) and having come away leaving the impression he was the best horse in the race, SAM SPINNER (best price 9-1) can make amends for his luckless effort at the Welsh venue. Having travelled best throughout, the son of Black Sam Bellamy looked all over the winner going down to the last only for him to swerve and lose valuable momentum touching down on the run-in, and although he rallied to the cause in the last 100yds, he didn’t have enough time to reel back Court Minstrel who got first run. Given that was his first effort outside of novice company, the experience of that hard-knocking contest should have taught Jedd O’Keeffe’s inmate plenty and with a step up in trip also likely to suit, this likeable type makes plenty of appeal at his top morning price. 

SIR IVAN (best price 7-1) ran out a convincing winner of a decent novices’ handicap on his seasonal return at Uttoxeter and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t give another solid account representing a stable in red-hot form at present. Not only did Harry Fry’s gelding win with more in hand than the official winning margin suggested at the Midland venue (idled in front), his speed figure he posted 37 days ago was pretty smart for the grade and with the potential of more to come now raised in trip, the seven-year-old looks way overpriced at 7-1.