Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

Greanateen sets a decent standard here with a rating of 134 and his victory over the well-regarded Caribert at Exeter last time out is also hard to knock, but that’s not to say this race will be a total stroll in the park up against two equally promising types and of the pair, ON THE SLOPES (NAP) (best price 5-2) should turn out to be the biggest pain in the backside.

Only moderate in point-to-points, Jeremy Scott’s gelding has improved immeasurably since racing under rules and following two useful placed efforts in bumpers, he broke his duck on hurdling debut over today’s C&D. Off the back of a strong gallop set by the previous Plumpton scorer Coole Well, the son of Librettist stayed on extremely powerfully in the closing stages to pull clear of his main rival on the run-in and with the third home, Aintree winner West Of The Bridge, also giving the form a solid look, the conclusion drawn was that it was a pretty smart effort by this lightly-raced five-year-old. Moreover, not only was the overall speed figure the best on the card, but the final circuit was covered in a time 3.6 seconds quicker than the older horse handicap won by the 130-rated Sussex Ranger, so based on those findings, it would come as no surprise to see him outrun his odds and put it up to the favourite over a track that he clearly enjoys.

Several well-regarded novices face the starter in this intriguing Grade 3 and in a race where a mistake here or there can make the difference, DISCORAMA (best price 15-2) appeals as the value each-way call at the morning odds. A very smart novice hurdler probably just short of top class last season, Paul Nolan’s gelding has always been regarded as a chaser in the making and he wasted no time put that theory to the test when scoring at the first time of asking over the larger obstacles over today’s course back in November. In a race that was noted for its strong gallop in the final mile, the son of Saddler Maker came through with a powerful late run to claim the spoils on the run-in and with those in behind that day such as Burgas, Burren Life, Bacardys and Any Second Now (rated 144) all useful in their own right, he clearly ran up to a pretty high standard. It was therefore quite understandable that connections wanted to pitch their charge in against Grade 1 opposition on just his second start over fences in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse and although he came up just short of the mark, 2m 4f on quick ground was arguably an insufficient test. Up in trip on slower ground this afternoon, the six-year-old has the ideal ingredients to perform to his best and with his course knowledge also seen as a big advantage, he rates a fair bet at the prices.

ENVIOUS EDITOR (best price 3-1) looked like landing a well-orchestrated punt at Limerick last time out until a late rally by Éclair De Beaufeu thwarted the gamble, but with the winner going in again and the time figure extremely good, it would come as no surprise if Jessica Harrington’s charge were to make amends. Runner-up on his hurdling debut over today’s course when he made the smart Rhinestone pull out all the stops, he was then a disappointing favourite on his next outing at Navan, when running flat as a pancake for no obvious reason. Considering how poor he was that day, it was significant that he came in for so much support on his latest outing – giving more weight to the argument that something must have been amiss the time before – and even though he was eventually out-battled by the winner on the run-in, he certainly left the impression there are races to be won with him when everything falls just right. Being a former point-to-point winner, maybe today’s step up in trip might be the answer, but either way, the son of Aizavoski has far too much talent to go unsupported at the morning odds of offer.