Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

There’s no denying FLY TO MARS (best price 9-2) took a proper caning from some above-average types at Kempton last time out and he’s hard to fancy on that form, but if you can overlook that tame effort and take into account his performance over today’s course the time before, then there’s a hope for optimism that Colin Tizzard’s gelding can cause a little surprise.

Only run out of the argument by the smart Third Wind at the Sussex track on his hurdling debut back in December, the five-year-old was quietly fancied to at least hold his own in that much tougher assignment on Boxing Day, but after a series on mistakes and lurches to his left over practically every flight, but the time he’d rounded the home bend, the laws of physics suggested he was always going to fall through the back of the TV. Back over a left-handed track, hopefully returning to an anti-clockwise circumference will eradicate those cost-worthy tendencies and if so, the son of Schiaparelli has enough ability to make some sort of race of it with the big two in the betting.

It’s easy to see why there’ll be a queue of punters lining up to back Carlos De Fruitier following his excellent third place finish in a hot novices’ handicap at Kempton last time out, but with his yard just going through a little quiet spell at present (18 days and 19 runners without a win), he may be worth just passing over on this occasion in favour of MISTER MALARKY (best price 7-2). A useful if unspectacular hurdler, Colin Tizzard’s gelding always shaped as though the steadier rhythm of chasing would suit better and that’s proven to be the case with a victory on debut at Plumpton and an equally fine effort in defeat over today’s course last time. Jumping soundly throughout at the Berkshire venue, the son of Malinas impressed by the way he stuck to his task all the way to the line and even though he drops back down in trip on his return visit 28 days on, the fact that he managed to score over two miles around Kempton last season suggests he isn’t short of gears when required.

LEGENDS GOLD (best price 9-2) was clearly trying to nail a blancmange to the ceiling in a bid to keep up with subsequent easy winner Liberty Belle at Ludlow last time out, but that performance on top of her excellent effort in an equally hot bumper at Cheltenham the time before entitle her to more respect than the market affords her and she rates a solid choice in a race where only a few count.

Not disgraced in that smart contest at Prestbury Park in November, Rebecca Curtis’ mare was well backed on her hurdling debut at the Shropshire venue on her latest outing and if it wasn’t for the improved display of the all-the-way winner, she would have scored at the first time of asking. Despite not quite landing the gamble, the daughter of Gold Well couldn’t be faulted for her aptitude for her new discipline throughout the 2m 5f journey and with today’s course offering more in terms of a stamina test just because of the track layoff, she should be capable of an even better performance.

The betting suggests this should be fairly straightforward stuff for Manning Estate, but his supporters could be in a for a rude awakening if DEBESTYMAN (NAP) (best price 9-4) runs anywhere near the standard he showed over today’s C&D last time out and at the prices, Suzy Smith’s charge rates the value call. Having shown next to nothing in two bumpers at the Sussex track, it was easy to see why he was a 100-1 poke for his hurdling debut 10 days ago, but like a phoenix from the flames, he turned around his fortunes in spectacular fashion. Always on the sharp end of what was an extremely hot race for the track standards, the son of Mahler helped force the strong pace deep into the latter stages and although he couldn’t live with the big three in the market late on, he was by no means disgraced. Given the overall speed figure was very good and there’s every chance the trio ahead of him that day will be big players in the final of the EBF series at Sandown, the six-year-old clearly has enough qualities to provide the favourite with all the trouble he can handle enough though he’s got some useful form of his own.

CREATIVE TALENT (best price 11-2) has cut a figure of frustration for large proportions of his career, but on the evidence of his last two starts, surely it’s only a matter of time before the seven-year-old finally gets his head back in front. His latest effort at Wolverhampton rather encapsulated his misfortunes as he received no run whatsoever at a crucial stage and he ended up having to settle for a minor role when he deserved better. Moreover, the winner and the second have both gone on to advertise the form and with tonight’s extra distance bound to suit, Tony Carroll’s gelding can gain compensation.