Andy Holding's Tuesday's Racing Tips

Other than being outstayed by Samuel Jackson in the latter stages, AS I SEE IT (NAP) (best price 2-1) did precious little wrong here last time out and with his conqueror going on to lower the colours of a well-fancied Donald McCain inmate at Bangor the other day, the son of King’s Theatre has a decent chance of gaining compensation on his return visit to the West Country venue. Always to the fore 26 days ago, Harry Fry’s charge gradually put his rivals through the mixer on the last circuit and as they all began to fall by the wayside one by one, it was rather unfortunate that he failed to get his just rewards for that brave front-running effort. Not only has the winner boosted the form, but the fourth, Dan McGrue has also won since and with the numbers all pointing heavily in his direction here this afternoon, the six-year-old can make it third time lucky over hurdles. 

Ravenhill Road is one of the most exciting prospects seen in the North for some time and even under the penalty, he shouldn’t miss the target here this afternoon, but the battle for the minor honours looks up for grabs and the one that makes most in the without the favourite markets is NOT THAT FUISSE (best price 9-1). A bitter disappointment when hanging to the left and blowing his chance away on hurdling debut at Market Rasen, Dan Skelton’s inmate put in an altogether more polished display last time out and Wetherby and that effort should have given him and connections plenty more confidence going forward. As we’ve seen since, the winner, Fin And Game, is well above average and the eighth horse home, The Road Home, has also gone on to back up the time figure of that useful event at the Yorkshire track, so even though he could perhaps do with better ground, he still should make his presence felt if he can run to a similar level.  

RELENTLESS DREAMER (best price 4-1) was incredible game when scoring at Ludlow last time out and with man of the moment, James Bowen on board, Rebecca Curtis’ inmate looks to have a gilt-edged chance of repeating the dose. In a race run at a sound clip throughout at the Shropshire venue, the eight-year-old never gave up the ghost despite looking up against it through large parts of the contest and his persistency finally got its reward when his main rival down the home straight, Marcilhac, made a telling mistake two out. Staying on best all of all late on, the Kayf Tara gelding just gained the day close home in a driving finish, and even though there’s a slight question mark on account of the soft ground here today, the fact that conditions are usually better on the chase course here and it’s the first race over fences ease the mind on that score. 

PADLEYOUROWNCANOE (best price 3-1) won despite racing on the slowest part of the track here last time out and this in-form juvenile can continue to prove he’s one step ahead of the handicapper. On a day when it paid to race wide on the better ground, Colin Tizzard’s juvenile defied conventional wisdom by ploughing his way through the swamp, and in pulling clear of the similarly well-treated 
Molineaux in the latter stages, he went on to win with more in hand than the official winning margin suggested. Likely to be given a similarly aggressive ride here this afternoon, the scopey son of Nayef can run his rivals into the ground and keep his eye on the prize.