Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Elite Charboniere definitely falls into ‘could be anything’ category, so it might be a foolish exercise trying to select one to beat Willie Mullins’ recruit, but CHARMED LIFE (best price 11-2) did more than enough on his latest outing at Naas to suggest he should be there or thereabouts whatever the fate of the jolly and for that reason, he has to rate the percentage each-way call.

Sent off 25-1 at the Co Kildare venue after only showing a modicum of ability at Cork previously, Jessica Harrington’s four-year-old belied his market weakness by keeping on strongly all the way to the line in a well-run maiden event 10 days ago and given that the first three ahead of him that day all came to the race with big reputations, his performance deserves extra merit. A gelding that has the physique and scope to improve with more racing, the son of Kalanisi should be at home under today’s track and conditions and it would be a disappointment if he didn’t build on the foundations of that latest display.

Trying to figure out which horses in the line-up are likely to be running on their merits in a race of this nature is a task in itself, but hopefully both SLIPPERY SERPENT (best price 12-1) and JACK FIASCO (best price 20-1) have no hidden agendas and can justify their inclusions in the field.

The former has yet to race over today’s three-mile trip, but he’s shaping as though he could probably do with a stiffer test and at least he arrives here one of the least exposed in the race. A game winner over 2m 4f at Punchestown two starts ago, Edward O’Grady’s gelding ran a perfectly respectable race when trying to follow up in a much tougher contest at Naas last time out and having gone well on his only two previous visits to today’s track – including a win on the Flat – the son of Scorpion appeals as a reasonable each-way investment.

The latter probably lacks the class of one or two of the bigger players down the front end of the market, but he caught the eye doing all his best work over 2m 4f in the ultra-competitive Tara Handicap at Navan last time out, so he’s not without hope at a big price here. Prior to that promising effort, the son of Black Sam Bellamy had proven that he stays three miles well in a decent little handicap at Punchestown and it would come as no surprise if he were to figure in the placings off his low weight.

Unless Humble Hero turns out to be well above average on his hurdling debut, this looks between Bright Forecast and APRES LE DELUGE (best price 10-3) and it’s the latter that makes the most appeal at the respective prices. A smooth winner of bumper on debut at Hereford last season despite running green in the latter stages, Hughie Morrison’s gelding was sent to Exeter the other day to begin his career over hurdles and as it transpired, it turned out to be a baptism of fire. In a race run at a searching gallop in testing conditions at the West Country venue, the son of Stormy River impressed with the way he travelled through the contest until lack of peak fitness took its toll late on, but given the level of competition he faced and the time figure they produced, it was a performance littered with immense promise. Likely to be a good bit sharper in all departments after that initial experience, he should turn out to be a massive thorn in the side to all his rivals here this afternoon over a track and ground that will suit.

To say that ARTHUR MAC (NAP) (best price 5-2) caught the eye at Bangor last time out would be a huge understatement and he’s rates a strong choice to vindicate the impression he created at the Welsh venue. Held up out the back of a competitive field, Henry Oliver’s gelding scythed his way through the field without being subject to anything like a hard ride and in the end he was a never-nearer at the finish fourth behind some useful and highly-regarded performers. Likely to improve significantly for that first start for new connections, the son of Getaway has the scope and engine to figure prominently in a race of this nature and it would be disappointing if he doesn’t do so.

Not that many progressive types in this run-of-the-mill handicap, so it could well be that SMITHSCORNER (best price 14-1) has enough quality to make an impact in a race that he’s entitled to figure prominently on form.

A winner at Cork on his first start for new connections back in October, Michael Kennedy’s gelding just missed out on following up on his return visit to the Co Mallow venue a few weeks later but at the same time he still came out of the race with great credit. Unseating rider at an early stage on his next outing, the son of Kadeed bounced back to form with an excellent effort at Fairyhouse last time out and a repeat of the same level of form will surely see him in the mix this afternoon. In a well-run affair at the Co Meath track, the seven-year-old keep on strongly all the way to the line and with the likes of Jake Peter and Auvergnat (won Paddy Power Chase yesterday) advertising the form of race that ran the quickest final lap of the three hurdle contests that afternoon, his double-figure quotes look way off the mark.