Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

GOOD TIME AHEAD (best price 9-2) has run two promising races over today’s track and he could easily make it third time lucky if he can match either performance on his return visit to the Nottinghamshire venue. In a well-run contest 12 days ago, Philip Kirby’s inmate was noted making up some nice late ground in the home straight and this winner from Newcastle three starts ago has all the right credentials to go well again on a surface that clearly suits (most Iffraaj’s tend to act well at the track).

Given her excellent effort in a listed race at Lingfield last time out, Gakku looks the proverbial penalty kick going back into ordinary maiden company, but she’s yet to encounter today’s deep surface and that makes her a slightly risky proposition at her skinny odds. EPITAPH (best price 15-2), by contrast, has already encountered the fibresand courtesy of an excellent effort here last time out and with the time figure of that maiden a very good one for the class, Michael Appleby’s inmate makes plenty of appeal as the each-way alternative to the favourite. At face value, the 18-race maiden looks to be thoroughly exposed, and connections are probably cursing the fact that the son of Henrythenavigator faces two quality opponents in his bid to finally get off the mark, but such was the speed figure he posted in defeat here 15 days ago, he looks sure to go close if he can run to a similar level. The fact that he kept going all the way to the line will stand him in good stead for the examination at hand here this afternoon and with the visor on again - which seems to be working the trick with this slightly lazy individual – a podium finish is the very least of his expectations.

KAABER (NAP) (best price 7-2) was pretty devastating in anyone’s language over today’s C&D last time and if you add on top of the visually impression his exceptionally quick time for the grade, he rates strong fancy to supplement those gains on his return to the East Midland venue. Racing in the tongue-tie/blinker combination for the first time, the Daaher gelding was always moving well in the hands of Mitch Godwin and when asked for his effort approaching the final furlong, the six-year-old really opened up in taking fashion. Readily pulling three-an-a-half lengths clear of his nearest pursuer, Michael Blake’s inmate posted not only a very fast overall time, but his last three furlong split of 36.7 was much better than the sectionals posted by the other division of the 6f handicap won by Bingo George (38.2). Only raised 6lb despite his easy success, the six-year-old gets the chance to race against similar 0-60 opposition again and with nothing seemingly sneaky in today’s line-up, it would be a surprise if he isn’t a major factor in the final outcome.

ROBBING THE PREY (best price 9-4) was probably too fresh and well when he made his chasing debut over today’s C&D last month, but he still managed to run to a decent standard despite his energy levels understandably dipping inside the final quarter mile. The fact that the trail-blazing Volt Face couldn’t go quick enough for him, meant that Malcolm Jefferson’s charge was left to row his own boat with a full circuit to run 26 days ago and that unwanted scenario ended up playing into the hands of the more patiently ridden Beggar’s Wishes, who ended up picking his pocket late on. The encouraging aspect about his performance that day, however, was his slick jumping at pace and with today’s race likely to be run at a decent clip courtesy of Derrintogher Yank and Cracking Find in the line-up, the strongly-travelling son of Robin Des Pres should get the perfect tow into the contest he requires.