Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

The guys who do the Racing Post analysis and tissue prices have a pretty unenviable task on a daily basis and by and large they do a cracking job, but there’s simply no way MOULIN A VENT (NAP) (best price 4-1) could be considered an 8-1 chance in anyone’s book and he’s taken to go a good deal better than the market forecasts. Poor in most aspects of his game on his chasing debut at Down Royal back in November, Noel Meade’s inmate was a totally different proposition next time out at Navan and his third that day behind the likes of the very promising pair Invitation Only (won Grade 3 since) and Any Second Now (runner-up to Footpad next time) suggested he has a bright future over fences if he could keep his trajectory going in the right direction. Backing up that view next time out, the son of Sagamix jumped well in the main to easily get the better of the useful Monbeg Notorious at Fairyhouse and with his victim going on to land the Thyestes Chase at Gowran next time out by a wide margin, the performance stands out as a top-quality piece of form. Pitched in against Grade 1 performers in a hot contest at Leopardstown over the Christmas period when last seen, unfortunately he belted the first one going down the side of the course away from the stands and with his confidence shattered after that ghastly blunder, he could never pick his chin off the floor and get himself back into the contest. Hopefully, the addition of blinkers on for the first time will help him concentrate his mind when he faces his fences this time around and if the headgear does work the oracle, he has the class to make a big impact over a trip and ground that should suit. Providing he comes through today’s contest with flying colours, something like the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could be on the cards, as at this stage, he wouldn’t appear quite good enough for the very best over 3m on the genuine good ground the Festival in March is likely to throw up, but the four-mile test would be a different story altogether (same stable had similar type A Genie In Abottle finishing fifth when favourite last year).

Rachel Blackmore has really made a name for herself as one of the leading lady riders over in Ireland in recent times and she thoroughly deserves all the accolades bestowed on her, but her judgement, (or lack of), on TOUT EST PERMIS (best price 7-2) at Cork was a little bewildering for a jockey usually bang on the money when it comes to judging pace. Setting off as if the taxman was chasing her and the winning post was at the end of the back straight, she visually looked as though she was asking her mount to maintain a suicidal pace given the very testing conditions at the Mallow venue and as it transpired, that’s exactly how things panned out. In fairness to Mouse Morris’ inmate, however, he did somehow manage to keep on well enough to finish a creditable fourth despite having used up all the juice on his phone, and if can be given a more efficient ride by today’s jockey change, Jack Kennedy, there’s every chance this well-handicapped horse on the pick of his chase form (only beaten 11 lengths by Death Duty in Grade 3 at Punchestown earlier in the campaign) can take advantage of a mark of just 114 over hurdles with the addition of a first-time tongue-tie seen as another positive aid.