Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

CLONDAW ANCHOR (NAP) (best price 13-8) clocked a decent speed figure when scoring with the minimum of fuss at Carlisle last time out and he’s fancied to copy and paste that performance despite being in a slightly more competitive field here today. A creditable runner-up on hurdling debut at Warwick back in May, Dan Skelton’s grey seemed to appreciate both the drop in trip and softer ground he encountered at the Cumbrian venue and in making all the running at a sound tempo, he readily disposed of a useful field. Likely to be ridden with a similar approach here again today, the son of Stowaway, who is seen as a chaser further down the line, should prove difficult to peg back around a track that often rewards an aggressive stance.

RIVER BRAY (best price 7-1) has run perfectly respectably post wind surgery, and his consistent profile looks set to continue under ideal conditions here today.

A little keen for his own good when third on his seasonal bow at Uttoxeter, Victor Dartnell’s gelding proved much more amenable to restraint on his latest outing Exeter and in keeping on well from the rear of the field when the pace increased three out, he filled out the same position behind subsequent winner Watcombe Heights. Looking at his best performance last season, that derived from the time he encountered soft ground at Taunton behind the useful Dan McGrue and with the surface likely to be pretty testing here this afternoon, the son of Arakan should be in his element.

As we know, experience on the Fibresand surface is massive and having proven the deep terrain was very much to his liking here last time out, LADS ORDER (best price 15-8) is fancied to press home his advantage on his return to the Nottinghamshire venue. Having his first start for Mick Appleby, the son of Lilbourne Lad was given a typically positive ride – in-keeping with how most of the yard’s runners like to race – and those tactics were seen to really good effect as he strode clear once shaking off his main pursuers turning for home. Eased down late on, the two-year-old still knocked out a smart time figure and with the potential of more to come over an extra furling, he should take all the catching from the front.

DIPLOMATE SIVOLA (best price 10-3) has had to suffer to agonising defeats so far this season, but if he manages to run to a similar level here today then he should go close to gaining a deserved success. Unlucky when short of room close home on his seasonal reappearance at Fontwell last month, Philip Hobbs’ gelding looked like making amends for much of the journey on his return visit to the Sussex track nine days ago, but he was just outrun in the closing stages by the progressive Glen Rocco. However, with the pair well clear of the rest and the speed figure good for the grade, the son of Noroit did more than enough to suggest he can give his sporting pilot plenty of fun over the winter and at the prices this morning the combination just get the nod.