Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Debuchet should be able to batter this field if anywhere near the level of form he showed in his bumper days, but things haven’t gone quite according to plan so far over hurdles, so the safest option is to look for something as a solid each-way alternative and EMPIRE ESCAPE (best price 7-1) fits the bill nicely. 

Beaten a far way in a point-to-point on his debut, nothing much was expected on his rules bow over today’s course back in December judged on his starting price, but in staying on nicely from the back of the field in a keenly-contested affair, Gordon Elliot’s gave out positive signals for the future.

Unfortunately, the son of Stowaway got no further than the third when fancied to build on that initial performance here last time out, but as today’s contest looks pretty similar in terms of numbers and competition, he should be capable of finishing in the frame with a clear round.

With a row of seconds next to his name, ALL FOR JOY (NAP) (best price 9-4) looks one that most bookmakers would like to take on, but that could end up being an injudicious approach given he’s been simply unlucky more than anything else in most of his defeats.

Just nailed close home when he did virtually everything right in a hot bumper at the Punchestown Festival last season, Oliver McKiernan’s gelding looked like he was due to lay that ghost to rest of his opening bow of this campaign at Leopardstown last time out. Leading the field a merry dance from the start, the son of Robin Des Pres appeared to be going strongly enough as he held a significant advantage coming out of the back straight, but once straightening up for home, it soon became apparent that his lack of an outing was beginning to take its toll over the 2m4f trip.

Back over two miles here this afternoon, his usual bold front-running tactics should be seen to good effect and in a race where only a few count, the seven-year-old looks to have a golden opportunity to finally get his head in front.

Joseph O’Brien appears to have the juvenile scene in the palm of his hand this season and the Co Kilkenny handler can further strengthen his Cheltenham Festival prospects in this category as both BAND OF OUTLAWS (best price 20-1) and KONITHO (best price 16-1) put their Fred Winter credentials firmly on the line in the 2.40 at Naas this afternoon.

The main thinking behind the two-pronged attack on the juvenile handicap next month, stems from the fact, JP McManus seemingly holds all the aces with short-priced favourite Sir Erec and he has also recently acquired previous Triumph market leader, Fakir D’Oudairies. Providing the former stays in one piece, one couldn’t imagine the legendary owner wanting to waste a bullet on running both in the race and with the temptation to run the latter in the Supreme Novice Hurdle instead - where he would surely go off favourite in an ordinary-looking year receiving all the allowances – a massive lure, it makes sense for another of his purchases, Konitho to join Band Of Outlaws.

With both running for a handicap mark this afternoon, there’s a good chance that they will both shaped positively and there’s every reason to believe that a victory for one of the pair will see them end up as a solid Fred Winter favourite come 2.45. 

Band Of Outlaws enjoyed a fruitful campaign on the Flat, mainly over a mile, and even though he didn’t appear the likeliest to make the grade at the winter game, the son of Fast Company has seen his stock rise following two excellent performances over hurdles. Shaping well on his debut at Cork when he finished strongly to grab third spot behind the well-fancied Maze Runner, the four-year-old made no mistake at the second time of asking at Limerick. Always well placed, he momentarily looked in trouble as the experienced Future Proof kicked away after the second last, but in finding an impressive turn of foot close home, he readily reeled back his prey to ultimately score with plenty in hand.

A real stocky type with plenty of scope, the bay gelding clearly has a useful turn of foot to go along with his proven stamina and with the likelihood of a prominent display here this afternoon, connections will be hoping he goes to Prestbury Park in a month’s time with a competitive handicap mark.

Konitho burst on to the scene with an impressive display on his Irish debut over today’s C&D recently and the fact that legendary owner, JP McManus, was keen to add him to his ever-growing portfolio (already has the first two in the Triumph Hurdle betting), the son of Konig Turf has to be taken very seriously as a potential Cheltenham Festival winner.

The feature of his victory at the Co Kildare venue was his slick jumping and with the time figure also backing up the visual impression of the display, it would come as no surprise if this potentially smart juvenile was one of the market leaders for this race come the big day.