Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

Tom Taaffe’s has never hidden the regard he holds for RIDERS ON THE STORM (best price 5-2) and following a breakthrough victory in a very useful novice event at Navan last time out, the five-year-old looks to have been found another decent opportunity to continue his steady progression. Having travelled almost too well for his own good when getting run out of the argument at Limerick two starts ago, the son of Scorpion once again displayed a very high cruising speed at the Co Kildare venue 22 days ago, but this time he had enough preserved energy to seal the deal. Although today’s small field might lend itself to a tactical battle of wits, hopefully will settle well and have the qualities to see off his four opponents before going on to much better things. 

CLOUDY BOB (NAP) (best price 7-2) made a sparkling start to his new life with Anthony Honeyball at Taunton last time out and providing the grey can run to a similar standard just seven days on, he should prove difficult to beat. A grand servant when in the care of Pat Murphy, the 11-year-old rolled back the years in no uncertain terms at the West Country venue and in defeating the progressive Private Malone with a bit to spare, he also clocked a smart speed figure into the bargain. Amazingly for a horse who’s had 62 races in his career, he’s yet to race at today’s venue, but on the flip side of that negative, all his best form has come on right-handed tracks, so it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.

There’s no escaping from the best singular piece of form held by Childrens List in this marathon contest and if Willie Mullins’ inmate can run to the sort of level that allowed him to defeat subsequent Irish Gold Cup hero, Edwulf, over today’s course last season, he would have a decent chance of capturing this prize. The only question mark lies from the fact he’s yet to race beyond 3m whereas stamina is not an issue where BAIE DES ILES (best price 10-1) is concerned. Firstly, the daughter of Barastraight has a terrific record around today’s track (form figures of 6121) and following a tremendous pillar-to-post performance in this race twelve months ago, the seven-year-old looks to have been clearly targeted at this race again. Following a similar path to last year, in the sense she’s had to just the two runs so far this season to blow away the cobwebs, Ross O’Sullivan’s charge will be all the better for a nice little spin around Limerick last time out over an inadequate 2m 3f, and with regular pilot Katie Walsh once again doing duty in the saddle, the duo should make a bold fist of things from the front.

Another than makes a good deal of appeal at the prices is regular in these events, FOREVER GOLD (best price 16-1), and if he can just avoid the silly mistakes that sometimes creep into his game, he’s capable of gate-crashing the party. Suited by a test of stamina on a right-handed track, Edward Cawley’s inmate was the only serious threat at any stage to the hugely impressive winner, Presenting Percy, (won Grade 2 hurdle since) in a similar race to this at Fairyhouse back in December and although he unshipped his pilot at the last fence in the Paddy Power Chase when last seen, he would have almost certainly finished in the frame had he stood on his feet. Looking back at his career-best efforts, some of the more high-profile ones have come over today’s course (third to Flecther’s Flyer in the big 3m 6f handicap at the 2016 Punchestown Festival his most notable performance) and even though there’s a slight suspicion that better ground suits his best, his morning price more than compensates for that negative. The hitherto talented but slightly frustrating Mall Dini is the other one to note given that he’s shown some smart form in many decent staying chases without managing to get his head in front.