Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Having missed a couple of possible engagements at Sandown and Cheltenham recently, when he would have been a likely big player in both, Winston C is bound to have his supporters to make the long trek up North worthwhile from a yard not renown for having runners at the track. That said, this won’t be a pushover for Harry Fry’s hat trick-seeking gelding and at the prices, the vote goes in favour of MARTILA (best price 16-1) who can put her valuable course form to good use.

Quite clearly this contest is a good deal hotter than the one she landed here back in January, but even though the official winning margin suggested she didn’t have that much in hand, the truth of the matter is she was far superior in every department. Usually a hold-up performer, the fact that Pauline Robson’s mare was in front after three hurdles indicated they weren’t going fast enough for her in the early stages and then having raced with the choke out for the thick end of a mile and half, it was understandable that she began to flounder on the long run for home and up the hill. She did, however, still manage to post a reasonable time figure in victory and then if you add on top of that her career record at the Borders venue of 224221 and it’s easy to see why she makes plenty of each-way appeal at fancy odds.

A typically wide-open renewal of this sought-after mares’ only handicap and there’s a fair chance that the North could take home this prize for a change as OFF THE HOOK (best price 16-1) has enough solid form against her own sex to suggest she’s been slightly overlooked by the layers.

After a string of placed efforts, there was no doubt Nick Alexander’s mare was becoming frustrating but a convincing victory over subsequent winner, Sam’s Adventure, at Ayr last time out settled any lasting nerves on that score. Prior to that breakthrough success, the daughter of Getaway ran an absolute blinder when a staying-on third behind the likes of Queenofhearts and Danse Idol in a competitive listed hurdle at Haydock and a repeat of that form alone gives her a significant chance of going close in a race of this nature.

Of those based in the South, OUR DOT’S BABY (best price 20-1) appears to have been slightly overlooked in the betting, which is a little strange when you consider here time figures have been pretty decent this season and she’s the only runner in the field with winning C&D form. That victory came courtesy of a game performance from the front back in January and with connections stating this race has been the target ever since, Jeremy Scott’s mare should be capable of outrunning her odds under similar conditions to what she faced 66 days ago.

SEEMORELIGHTS (best price 8-1) had to be deemed an unlucky loser at Ayr last time out and even though he has yet to prove conclusively that he stays today’s trip, the evidence of his latest exploits suggest he’s worth the risk.

Lightly-raced for a seven-year-old, Sandy Thomson’s gelding first sprang to prominence when causing an upset in a hot novices’ hurdle over today’s course last season and even though he failed to get his head back in front on two starts thereafter, his two efforts in defeat were more than acceptable. Shaping as though badly in need of the run on his seasonal return at Haydock in December, the son of Echo Of Light looked poised to regain the winning thread until disaster struck at the final flight at the Scottish venue and providing he’s suffered no ill effects from that nasty tumble, there’s every chance he will go well for local connections.

There’s always the possibility of GALA BALL (NAP) (best price 5-2) ‘bouncing’ after his superb effort off the back of a long layoff over today’s C&D last time out, but providing that scenario doesn’t rear its ugly head, Philip Hobbs’ gelding has everything else imaginable going for him over a track he simply adores. Form figures of 12222 tell you all you need to know about his suitability to the flat, galloping nature of the Berkshire venue and even after a break of 707 days, he was still able to run to a career-high standard here at the beginning of the month. Noted travelling supremely well throughout, the son of Flemensfirth picked up the running going best of all after touching down three out and even though he visibly tired over the last and on the run-in, he still had the qualities to keep on bravely for second behind the well-treated San Benedeto. Obviously, given the standard of opponents he faces today, all four rivals deserve the utmost respect, but at the same time, the nine-year-old has shown form a class above the quartet in the past and he receives the nap vote to keep the excellent run going for his in-form stable.

STORM GODDESS (best price 7-1) has gradually got better with each run and following a confidence-boosting victory at Doncaster last time out, Charlie Longsdon’s mare is fancied to hold her own against the boys.

A creditable third in a useful mares’ contest at Ludlow on her hurdling debut was followed up by a solid performance in pushing the smart Mega Yeats all the way at Wetherby next time out. Clearly coming on a ton in every department from that well-run encounter at the Yorkshire venue, the daughter of Oscar duly gained her just rewards with a bloodless success a month later and with today’s conditions and likely well-run race over the minimum trip set to suit, she’s a confident choice to make the frame at the very least.