Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

Things haven’t quite worked out for BACARDYS (best price 4-1) since switching his attentions to fences, but he still remains a fairly unexposed and potentially top-class hurdler and this looks a wise move from connections in a bid to see where their fate lies for the rest of the season. Eventually pulled up after being badly hampered down the back straight in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival last season, Willie Mullins’ inmate proved what a quality performer he is given a proper test of stamina when he lowered the colours of the likes of Finian’s Oscar, Death Duty and, more importantly for today’s purposes, Let’s Dance, in the Grade 1 at Punchestown on his final outing last term. Although he’s not the worst jumper of a fence you’ve ever seen, his fall at Leopardstown was probably enough for connections to change tack for the time being and with his record reading 3-3 over hurdles when the ground has been soft or heavy, today’s test of examination over a trip which should play right into his strengths makes him a very tempting each-way proposition at the morning prices.

Gordon Elliot is six strong in his attempt to finally capture a prize which has evaded him for the time being and of the sextet, MONBEG NOTORIOUS (best price 13-2) looks the most interest contender. Although he’s only had three starts over fences and obviously lacks the experience for a race of this nature, he comes across as being a character way beyond his years and he certainly has enough class to do plenty of damage off his light weight. A solid jumper, if a little deliberate at times, hopefully the visor first-time will sharpen him up accordingly in that department and with a front-running run-style that has often been seen to good effect with many of the winners of this race down the years, the son of Milan can prove to be more than a dangerous floater.

SUMOS NOVIOS (best price 16-1) is consistent as the day is long and he looks booked to go well again under ideal conditions. Runner-up on each of his two starts so far this term, William Burke’s inmate has posted the sort of speed figures in defeat to suggest he’s done very little wrong and with the step up in trip this afternoon also seen as a massive plus, the 10-year-old makes plenty of each-way appeal at 16-1 with some firms paying down to fifth place.

The bumper won by Time To Move On is universally excepted as being one of the best of its kind seen so far this season, so having run promisingly to finish a creditable fifth that day, STONEY MOUNTAIN (best price 9-2) is fancied to go well with that grounding and all-important experience under his belt. A 40-1 shot beforehand, clearly nothing much was expected of Henry Daly’s inmate 48 days ago, so to show up as well as he did until just getting a little tired in the closing stages say plenty for his natural ability. On the evidence of that display and the speed figure he posted, he arguably has the best piece of form coming into today’s contest and that makes him all the more tempting at the morning prices given the list of positives. 

WAQQAD (NAP) (best price 8-1) may only have won a relatively small maiden over today’s course on turf last Saturday, but he did in the style of a horse that certainly deserves a pop at something bigger and better and he’s worth a decent each-way interest to see whether he’s up to the task at hand. A big eye-catcher on his debut at Jebel Ali over five furlongs, the son of Quality Road really appreciated the step up in trip when scoring on the turf track here on his most recent outing, showing a bright turn of foot inside the final two furlongs to pull readily clear of his rivals. Hailing from a yard in decent nick at present, Rasheed Bouresly’s charge has the physique that lends itself to racing on the dirt (won trial race on today’s surface) and from a potentially favourable draw in stall one, a good break and early track position should ensure he’s right in the thick of the action throughout.