Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

As the speed figure for the grade suggested at the time, the form of the race won by Copperhead at Exeter back in January has worked out well (first three home either won or placed next time) and having kept on well to finish a respectable fourth, PEUR DE RIEN (best price 13-2) makes quite a bit of appeal in this fairly weakest-looking contest here this afternoon.

Although yet to win a race in seven starts, that wouldn’t be the first time Oliver Sherwood’s gelding has shown a reasonable amount of ability and it’s surely only a matter of time before he pops up off his current rating. The way he kept on at the West Country venue also suggests a step up in trip will suit and hailing from a stable has been ticking over quite nicely since the flu vaccinations, the son of Kapgarde will hopefully reward solid each-way support. Éclair De Guye, who ran well when fourth in a decent Sandown handicap for this column last time out looks the main threat down the front end of the market.

A competitive Grade, 3 but certainly not one brimming with any superstars just yet, and of those bidding to take advantage of many of the big guns running at the Cheltenham Festival this coming week, CHOSEN MATE (best price 10-3) and ADVANTAGE POINT (best price 14-1) seems a couple of the likelier types to succeed. 

The former is already proven in Graded company, as his win over today’s C&D last time out highlights, and even though he was being reeled in by the eventual runner-up that day, Hannon, time may tell that it was still a decent effort by Gordon Elliot’s gelding trying to concede a stone to a potentially smart juvenile (still entered to run in the Triumph Hurdle). Although that victory came on good ground, the son of Well Chosen seemed to handle slower conditions well enough when scoring at Fairyhouse with a degree of comfort and being only one of two in today’s field that has solid C&D form, the improving six-year-old makes plenty of appeal.

The latter is the other with a C&D win against his name and although that victory came in a fairly modest maiden, Edward Harty’s gelding looked the type who could have plenty more to offer. Headed by subsequent winner, All For Joy, over the last 29 days ago, the six-year-old chestnut showed a willing attitude to force his head back in front on the long climb to the line and having also run well in a another hot novice event over 2m3f here the time before (Dallas Des Pictons fourth), the son of Germany has a solid background of track knowledge that should help him easily outrun his odds.

THE BOSS’S DREAM (best price 4-1) faces a tougher assignment to what he’s been used to of late, but he arrives here in excellent shape and having the run-style that today’s track should complement makes him an interesting proposition at the morning odds.

Not the quickest by any means, Neil King’s gelding got his just rewards for some decent placed efforts with convincing win at Lingfield two starts ago and for a large majority of his latest encounter at Uttoxeter he looked like he was going to follow up. Jumping well in front and setting a merry gallop, it was only the well-handicapped Coopers Square that had the qualities to go with the 11-year-old on the final circuit, but with the pair well clear (37 lengths), it’s not difficult to come to the conclusion he probably ran to a career high. Likely to race prominently again around a track where getting into a good jumping rhythm is vital, Bryony Frost can once again show why she’s one of the best in the business on a horse that should respond to her skills in eyeing up a fence. 

A tightly-knit affair, but KELPIES MYTH (NAP) (best price 9-4) holds a significant advantage over most of his rivals on account of his superior course form and that might just swing the balance of power in his favour. Right from day one when landing a bumper on his first visit to the Scottish venue, the son of Dutch Art seemed to appreciate the tight, right-handed flat terrain and having moved his track stats forward to read an impressive 1341342 with another solid effort here last time out, there’s no obvious reason why his levels would take a dip. Moreover, Lucinda Russell’s gelding can also boast some smart speed figures against his name and with conditions to suit, he rates a decent bet at the morning odds.