Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

COLUMN OF FIRE (best price 2-1) was shade disappointing in his bid to justify short-priced favouritism over today’s course two weeks ago, but he’s afforded another chance to confirm the impression he created in a decent bumper the time before now the ground and trip are more in his favour. In what turned out to be a slowly run race at the Co Meath venue, Gordon Elliot’s gelding found himself done for a turn of foot as his main market rivals engulfed him approaching the second last and even though he plugged on willingly all the way to the line, he just lacked the pace to get back into the contest. As there’s forecast plenty of rain throughout the day, this 2m 4f contest will be a decent test of stamina and that’s when the son of Robin Des Champs is likely to come into his own.

As is often the case, the form of the BetVictor Chase run at the previous meeting is likely to take centre stage with the thought process of most punters, but if there is to be one who could gate-crash that form, WAR SOUND (best price 12-1) falls nicely into that category.

Like most of Philip Hobbs’ inmates last season, the son of Kayf Tara always gave the impression he wasn’t quite on his A-game despite running heroically on many occasions and that was one of several reasons why he ended the campaign still a novice over fences. Placed on all eight starts, one of his best efforts actually came over today’s C&D when he finished a creditable fourth in a competitive little novices’ handicap on trials day in January. Bowling along and setting a searching gallop that day, the nine-year-old seemed to have his five rivals stone cold with the way he jumped and travelled, but after a niggly mistake at the fence coming down the hill, the wheels rather came off him in the latter stages. On his return to action at Aintree, however, he looked a totally different proposition when given a more patient ride on better ground and in beating a decent field with any amount in hand, he clocked a smart overall time and final circuit sectionals combined (two seconds quicker than the 2m chase won by Yorkist). Likely to be dropped out again with a view to him trying to settle and finish off his race to best effect, his high cruising speed and sound jumping are two assets which should allow this classy individual to put up a bold show for his in-form jockey/trainer combination.

Of those that ran here a month ago, GUITAR PETE (best price 11-1) makes most appeal at the prices as the rain forecast and course configuration is likely to see him in a much better light this time around. Although he has run with credit on the Old Course, the more galloping nature of today’s layout suits him better and that was very much the case in this race twelve months ago. Always going comfortably behind the strong pace set by Foxtail Hill, Nicky Richards’ grey stayed on best of all when the ill-fated Starchitect went wrong in between the last two fences and it’s that stamina and determination which are two of the main factors why he has to be a major consideration again today. Moreover, he hails from a trainer/jockey combination in tremendous form at present and the more rain that falls, the better his chances.

The run of Summerville Boy in the Fighting Fifth was almost too bad to be true (jumped scruffily again) and he could easily bounce back into the Champion Hurdle picture with a more characteristic performance here, but at the same time, he’s plenty short enough for a horse who comes with risks attached, so the safest option is to look for an each-way alternative in the shape of SILVER STREAK (best price 5-1).

Runner-up in the big pre-Christmas Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at Ascot to Hunters Call this time last year, Evan Williams’ grey has continued to progress and he got his just rewards for many solid endeavours when he landed the Swinton Hurdle with some aplomb on his final outing of the season at Haydock. Setting off this campaign as he means to go on, the son of Dark Angel accounted for several useful performers in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las – including The New One – and he duly followed up that display with another cracking effort in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last time out. Brushing aside a bad mistake at the first (usual third due to low sun in the straight), the five-year-old also overcame being drilled down the inside all the way around on the swamp (most winners at the three-day meeting went wide) to eventually make the winner, Nietzsche, pull out all the stops up the hill. So far, the form of that race at Prestbury Park 27 days, albeit a muddling affair regards pace, couldn’t have worked out any better and with his form coming under a variety of conditions, this improving young hurdler should be capable of giving one or two bigger and more established names a fright even if the rain does arrive by the bucket load.

I’M A BELIEVER (best price 6-1) is 0-8 and is pretty one-paced, but there’s a chance that a change in scenery might just elicit enough improvement to enable her to be competitive in a race of this nature at the very least. Pulled up in her last start for Mick Channon when clearly something was amiss, the daughter of Sixties Icon had previous run quite well in a couple of useful staying handicaps on the figures on a variety of surfaces. Indeed, her three performances on the all-weather haver all yielded a respectable level of form over distances shy of her best, and having now joined a stable that is simply firing in winners for fun at the moment, Alan King’s acquisition should go well at a track she’s handled well enough in the past.

TOP AND DROP (NAP) (best price 9-2) hasn’t managed to win yet in 10 starts, but there’s been distinct signs of improvement in recent times and following an encouraging performance in just her third outing over fences in a hot race at Chepstow last weekend, she might just be ready to end that run of barren results. In a race noted for its strong pace for the grade, Venetia Williams’ mare was always able to keep tabs on the leaders with a degree of comfort and although she couldn’t quite quicken as well as the front two in the latter stages, she still kept on well enough to finish a respectable third. Having now proven she can handle a reasonable gallop in bad ground, the forecast heavy rain should offer no fears for the daughter of Kayf Tara and knowing her wily local handler, this race has probably been on the agenda for some time.