Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

EJABAH (best price 22-1) has yet to win a race in 13 starts, but she’s run much better since fitted with the visor on her last two starts and, given that most of today’s field don’t inspire too much confidence either, there’s a chance she can outrun her odds. Understandably outpaced by a horse who was clocking some serious fractions two starts ago, Charles Smith’s inmate shaped better than the bare result suggested in a useful 6f maiden here last time out and with the likes of Ladies First and Getting’ Lucky both advertising the form back at the track this week, her bargain basement mark of 46 can be exploited.

CLAIMANTAKINFORGAN (NAP) (best price 11-8) went about his work in a business-like fashion on hurdling debut, but as we’ve seen how the runner-up that day, Lostintranslation, has since gone on to perform, it was probably a better performance by Nicky Henderson’s charge than at first thought. The way he moved through that contest at the Berkshire track suggested he’s certainly not devoid of pace for a previous point-to-point winner, and given that his form in bumpers last season was of the highest class, it would come as no surprise to see him continue on the upgrade over hurdles here today and cement his position towards the forefront of the betting in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle lists.

An extremely strong-looking bumper with many big reputations on the line, but both PORTRUSH TED (best price 14-1) and STRONG GLANCE (best price 16-1) have done enough visually and on the speed figures to suggest they are easily up to the standard required. The former was unlucky to bump into a particularly tough cookie in the shape of Nestor Park over today’s C&D on his seasonal return but, with the pair pulling well clear of a decent field in a quick time, confidence is high of another positive display from Warren Greatrex’s future chasing prospect.

Fergal O’Brien is doubly represented here, but there’s a good chance the latter will prove the best of fancied pair. The way the son of Passing Glance travelled before quickening on demand on his debut at Southwell suggested he’s a gelding with a serious engine and the numbers he posted that day indicate he shouldn’t be disgraced here in this better company.

THUNDER SPEED (best price 13-2) has had the misfortune to bump into the rapid-improver, Clear Skies, on his last two starts, so he must have every chance of gaining some sort of compensation for those near misses with no dangerous floater standing in the way this evening. A winner of a maiden at tonight’s venue over 7f last year, Fozzie Stack’s inmate has improved gradually as he’s been raised in trip and although he stayed well enough when tried over 1m 4f last time, he left the impression that two furlongs shorter would maybe more beneficial. As there should be plenty of pace on tonight courtesy of Mainicin and Carried in the line-up, the three-year-old will receive the sound tempo he enjoys and whichever way you strip it down, it’s hard to see the son of Dylan Thomas not finishing in the frame at the very least.