Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

Christian Williams has suddenly started to bang in the winners again (four from his last 14 runners), and PRIMAL FOCUS (NAP) (best price 9-4) looks poised to keep up the good work for the Glamorgan-based handler.

Third on his first start since a gelding operation at Wincanton a month ago, the son of Intense Focus was pitched into a mega-hot Class 3 handicap at Ludlow last time out and even though his final finishing position suggested he was outclassed, he faired a good deal better than his 16-length defeat for majority of the journey. Looking dangerous turning for home, the five-year-old gelding simply just ran out of stamina on his first attempt at the three-mile trip, and now dropping back down two grades and over a distance that should be well within his range, he rates a cracking bet at the early morning prices.

CHAMBARD (best price 9-4) put up a brave attempt to sustain his winning thread at Ludlow last time out and even though he failed on that front, he still rates a decent proposition to bounce back in this winnable contest.

Good on the figures at Ffos Las the time before, Venetia Williams’ gelding was sent to the front early at the Shropshire track in order to press home his fitness advantage and general wellbeing but unfortunately, he found himself being hassled for the lead for the first mile of the contest by the keen-going Dorking Boy, and in the end, the constant pace pressure he faced took its toll late on. Although he kept on well all the way to the line, the son of Gris De Gris couldn’t quite repel the late challenge of the more patiently ridden Smartly Wild, but with the pair nicely clear and again the time figures very respectable, it’s clear he ran right up to his best form. Up in trip today, the seven-year-old should have the luxury of taking a lead today if he chooses as Raise The Bar looks the obvious one for that particular role and hailing from a stable that have their team in excellent shape at present, this honest galloping type could well be another winner for the Herefordshire-based outfit.

BARCA (best price 12-1) has an unconvincing profile, but at the same time, he ran with a good deal more encouragement than the bare result suggested at Kempton last time out and he’s worth a roll of the dice to see how he gets on over tonight’s more suitable longer trip.

Formerly with Aidan O’Brien, the son of War Front once had a rating of 77, but following a switch in stable and a series of modest performances last year, he slipped right down to a mark of 63 before joining new connections earlier this year. Gelded in the interim, the five-year-old had his first outing for Marcus Tregoning over seven-furlongs 19 days ago and having been dropped out the back and outpaced for most of the journey, he came home in quite promising fashion to finish on the coat tails of the main players. Considering that was his first start for 298 days, it wasn’t a bad effort by this nine-race maiden and based on that effort alone, he looks to be crying out for a stiffer test. Significantly, stable jockey, Martin Dwyer, now takes over in the saddle and even though there’s an element of guesswork attached to his chance, his morning odds more than compensate for the risks.