Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

Paul Nicholls seems to be choosing his moments when to use Bryony Frost very wisely and the Ditcheat handler will hopefully have his ingenuity rewarded again as the girl-of-the-moment gets the leg up on the promising CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK (NAP) (best price 8-5) on handicap debut. A proper old-fashioned National Hunt type, the Black Sam Bellamy gelding shaped with plenty of encouragement in a useful novice hurdle at Chepstow back in October and with that all-important run under his belt and addition of a tongue-tie, he wasted little time getting off the mark next time out over today’s course. In a well-run affair where the field got diluted very quickly in the home straight, this strapping chasing type was the only one capable of keeping up the gallop, and in the end he pulled readily clear for an easy success. Back in the field that day were several who’ve gone on to advertise the form of the race, and with his opening mark looking very generous to say the least given his potential going forward, it would come as something of a surprise if he wasn’t capable of dismissing his relatively exposed opponents despite the heavy ground being possibly far from ideal.

As the betting suggests, a wide-open contest with several arriving here with a recent win under their belts and although SPUN GOLD (best price 5-1) isn’t one of them, that doesn’t detract from his claims now racing back on his favoured surface. Having hung badly towards the stands rail when following up his previous success over today’s course, connections were fully entitled to think running their charge on a right-handed course might just counteract that trait, but as it turned out, the track/surface switch actually made matters even worse. Although things looked to be going fine heading down to the cutaway two out, Charlie Fellows’ inmate became almost un-ridable in the latter stages and he was eventually eased off once his chance had vanished. Likely to be ridden fairly aggressively now back on a surface where he’s 2-2, the four-year-old could be very difficult to catch even though he’s bound to give ground away edging to his right down the straight. 

Last year’s winner, Championship, should make a bold fist to retain his title with a usual forceful ride from the favoured inside stall, but whereas he came here off the back of previous outing twelve months ago, he hasn’t the same luxury this time around. One who has already proven his recent wellbeing is D’BAI (best price 2-1) and with fitness on his side having accounted for a top-class field in a very fast time on his UAE debut (lowered track record), Charlie Appleby’s inmate just gets the nod. Off the back of a 96-day break and racing in the blinkers/tongue-tie combination for the first time, the son of Dubawi impressed by the way he quickened inside the latter stages off the back of a fairly searching pace set by The Grape Escape, and as he looked to idle just a little once he’d hit the front, there’s every reason to believe there could be a bit more to come from this talented, if a tad quirky, customer. In-keeping with how Mike De Kock’s runners often improve throughout the carnival, Noah From Goah, who shaped well behind the selection on his first run off the plane, is another consider if he can overcome a slightly tricky draw.

Godolphin have a tremendous record with their runners on the turf track out in the desert and they look to have a pretty strong hand here saddling a quarter of the field. Gold Star looks a worthy favourite based on his solid comeback effort over today’s C&D 21 days ago, but at the morning prices, EYNHALLOW (best price 13-2) is the one who makes the most appeal. A steady improver when in the care of Roger Charlton back in the UK, his best effort came on his final outing of the campaign when he was a creditable second in what was arguably one of the best three-year-old handicaps of the entire season (A group race in all but name) and he would certainly have a great chance here based on that run alone. Moreover, having scored on his first start as a three-year-old off the back of a 226-day break, he clearly goes well fresh, and with the likelihood that he would have improved with the sun on his back over in the desert, this imposing son of Nathaniel is one to follow whatever the outcome this afternoon.