Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

TIKKINTHEBOX (NAP) (best price 3-1) hasn’t been free from his disappointments but they’ve often come about when he’s raced left-handed so there’s shouldn’t be too many excuses available if he’s to flop going in a clockwise direction here this afternoon.

Four starts down over fences and the son of Tikkanen hadn’t really cut much ice, but it was a totally different story once he encountered good ground and a tight, right-handed track at Taunton. Jumping well and making most of the running at the West Country track, the six-year-old ran out a comfortable winner and he duly followed up under another attacking front-running ride, going the same way around at Wincanton a month later.

Despite winning at Newton Abbot two starts ago, he looked uncomfortable at the same venue either side of that success and providing he can gain the early bragging rights and get into a decent rhythm against his four opponents (Sad Eyed Dylan and Notre Ami made running in the past), Jamie Snowden’s gelding should give a good account.

The word doing the rounds is that Silent Hunter is supposed to be one of Saeed Bin Suroor’s better two-year-olds and he may well make a winning debut, but at the same time, ATTAINMENT (best price 11-4) has shown a fair level of ability in both starts to date and he can take advantage of any greenness and lack of experience which may befell the favourite.

A creditable seventh on debut in a hot maiden on the figures won by subsequent Middle Park runner-up, Jash, the son of Exceed And Excel found the necessary improvement which allowed him to be much more competitive at Leicester last time out and with that contest at the Midland having the make and shape of another useful race, he clearly sets a smart standard here this afternoon.

Although he shapes like sprinting will be his game, he just about got the seven-furlong trip last time and with his experience and early track craft likely to see him in a pretty handy position through the first few furlongs, James Tate’s looks sure to be bang there at the business end. 

OIGHEAR DUBH (best price 7-1) is a fairly reliable stick and his overall consistency makes him a tempting each-way proposition on his return to hurdling. Better known for his exploits over fences in recent times, a win and three places in his last four starts bare testimony to a horse on top of his game and each one of those quartet of races suggest he shouldn’t be inconvenienced by a step up to today’s three-mile trip.

Prior to his victory at Tipperary in July, the son of Verglas had run with plenty of credit when third over hurdles at Killarney and a repeat of that performance should allow him to have a big say in today’s argument.