Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

Face The Facts is a very interesting contender on his first start over hurdles for the Willie Mullins barn and he may just have too many gears for these, but at the same time, YOUNG TED (best price 4-1) sets a reasonable standard on what we’ve seen so far over hurdles and he rates the percentage each-way alternative in a race where probably only a few count.

A winner of a bumper under testing conditions at Thurles last season, the son of Fame And Glory went on to run with great credit in the Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival behind Tornado Flyer and that performance set him up nicely for a crack at his new discipline this campaign. Kicking off his new career in a well-contested maiden hurdle at Navan, Noel Meade’s inmate caught the eye with the way he finished off his race in the latter stage and on the evidence of that effort alone, he looks to be crying out for further.

Given an extra three furlongs to race over today and with a bit more cut in the ground than there was at the Co Meath venue, the four-year-old, should be seen in a much better light this afternoon and it would disappointing if he couldn’t make the frame at the very least.

A race big on numbers but there’s only two genuine contenders in the shape of Relegate and BARRINGTON COURT (best price 6-4) and even though the latter doesn’t have the benefit of any hurdling experience, she’s still taken to get the better of last season’s Champion Bumper hero on account of her potential superior speed. 

Runner-up three times on the spin last season, Jessica Harrington’s filly probably wasn’t seen to full effect due to the testing conditions she encountered on each start, and that theory came to light in no uncertain terms on her opening bow to this campaign at Navan. Sent off a well-backed 7-2 second favourite to capture a listed prize at the Co Meath venue, the daughter of Mastercraftsman never gave her supporters any anxious moments as she simply breezed into the lead approaching the two-furlong pole before blowing her rivals away with a tremendous turn of foot once unleashed off the bridle.

Impressing J.P McManus into the bargain, the legendary owner was obviously keen to get this filly racing in his famous green and white silks as soon as possible and as her main market rival didn’t rip up any trees on her hurdling debut at Punchestown, this looks a good opportunity to see whether she was money well spent.

The drop back in trip is a slight concern for THOMAS TODD (NAP) (best price 9-4) in his bid to back up his recent Musselburgh success, but he didn’t look to be short of speed at the Scottish track and he makes plenty of appeal in what has to be said is a pretty weak affair here this afternoon. 

Making his rules debut over fences, the son of Passing Glance looked in a spot of bother coming out of the back straight, but once setting sail for home, he quickly came back on the bridle before going on to register a smooth success. Moreover, the overall time figure and final lap sectionals suggest it was a decent performance by this lightly-raced eight-year-old and with the possibility of more to come in the first-time tongue-tie, he appears to have a golden opportunity to repeat the dose on ground that will suit.