Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

IWILLDOIT (NAP) (best price 11-4) ran out an impressive winner on his first start in handicap company and with connections shrewdly coming here to strike before his new mark kicks in, Sam Thomas’ gelding looks to have a golden opportunity to back up that breakthrough success. Highly tried in a couple of hot novice event previously, the six-year-old began life in handicaps off what looked decent starting point at Bangor and after carrying what appeared to be a little bit of market confidence going into the race, he readily delivered the goods in some style. Picking up the running after three out, the lightly-raced six-year-old gradually pulled well clear in the closing stages and given that he was never stronger than at the finish, it’s easy to conclude that a test of stamina is his prime asset. Moreover, not only was the overall time figure he posted good, his final lap time was only marginally slower than the 2m novice hurdle won by the highly-rated Collooney, so based on those findings, it will take an alarming dip in form for him not to follow up even with a mandatory penalty.

RAPPER (best price 15-8) hasn’t been quite quick enough to cope with some above-average novices over two miles, but on each occasion he shaped as though a more thorough test would suit and he’s strongly fancied to vindicate that impression for local connections. A keeping-on sixth in a hot event at Bangor back in November, the likes of The Some Dance Kid, Flash The Steel, Phoenix Way, bang On and Mr Pumblechuck have all gone on to advertise the form since and there was nothing wrong with his latest performance back at the Welsh venue a month later. Once again slightly outpaced coming out the back straight, Henry Daly’s gelding was reeling the front two home hand over fist close home and given that both the winner and second have also won since, you can see that this five-year-old has locked horns with his fair share of quality animals in a short space of time. Up significantly in trip here this afternoon, the son of Scorpion is fully entitled to be at the head of the market and rates the one to beat.

GARRANE (best price 9-2) has had the misfortune to bump into two progressive chasers on his last two starts and he’s afforded another chance to finally gain his just rewards for those gallant efforts. Only just outrun in the closing stages at Chepstow two outings ago by subsequent scorer, Glen Forsa, Jeremy Scott’s gelding came out second best once again in a protracted dual in a brutal encounter with The Two Amigos at Exeter on his most recent start. Racing beyond 3m 2f for the first time at the West Country venue, the son of Tikkanen impressed with the way he kept on for pressure all the way up the long home straight despite ultimately fighting a losing battle, but with the winner going in again and the pair well clear in a decent time figure, he looks booked to go well again over a track and trip that will suit.

RYALEX (best price 10-3) is a fairly reliable performer at this sort of level and he’s taken to return to winning ways after another brave effort in defeat at Carlsile last time out. In a well-run contest at the Cumbrian venue, Lucinda Russell’s gelding held every chance approaching the last, but coming up against two in-form and progressive types on the run-in, he could find only the one-pace and he eventually had to settle for a gallant third. Prior to that useful effort, the eight-year-old gave too much rope in the early stages to the aggressively ridden Hard Station over today’s course, but now returning to the Lincolnshire track back under his optimum conditions, this ever-consistent type looks set to give another solid account.