Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

MARRACUDJA (NAP) (best price 11-8) ran a good deal better than his final finishing position suggested in the Grand Annual last time out, and he’s fancied to take advantage of a drop down in class. 
Sticky in the early stages at the Prestbury Park venue, Dan Skelton’s inmate found himself with plenty to do at halfway and although he could never land a meaningful blow at the leaders, the way he finished off his race from three out gave out plenty of hope for the future.

Earlier in the campaign, it’s also worth pointing out that the eight-year-old had managed to finish in front of the likes of San Benedeto and Cyrname no less in a red-hot two-mile chase at Ascot and considering that performance was achieved with a slight wind issue – which has subsequently been corrected – says a lot for his natural ability. Better known for his exploits on a quicker surface down the years for previous connections, the son of Martaline has the ideal conditions to provide his red-hot stable with yet another winner.

It’s no coincidence that CHIEF BRODY (best price 8-1) has run his two best races over today’s course and he’s fancied to be spurred on again by the Midland air on his return visit. A wide-margin winner on his first start for new connections a year ago, William Muir’s gelding was only just denied a repeat success by the well-handicapped Master Work 403 days later.

Three modest runs ensued but as they all came on a soft surface each effort can be forgiven and back on his favoured fast ground last time out at Market Rasen it was a case of normal services resumed. Although just touched off by the fast-finishing Ice Gallery, the eight-year-old showed all his old spark and that performance should give him maximum confidence coming back to his old stomping ground.

AGAR’S PLOUGH (best price 5-2) is still winless after 14 starts, but he’s shown on several occasions that he’s got enough about him to readdress that balance and on the evidence of what he saw of him on his seasonal reappearance at Pontefract, he certainly won’t be out of his depth in a race of this nature.

Placed three times when trained by Ed Dunlop, the son of Dutch Art took a little while to find his stride on his first outing for new connections 16 days ago, but once he engaged top gear inside the final two furlongs on the stiff climb to the line, he came home with a fair rattle to finish a never-nearer fifth.

Based on how strong he was in the latter stages of that mile contest, he appears to be crying out for a stiffer test and providing his big frame can be manoeuvred around the tight bends at the Yorkshire venue, the four-year-old can be some sort of factor at the business end.

The two highest rated performers, DOWNFORCE (best price 10-3) and Psychedelic Funk, stand out in this conditions event and preference goes to the former based on his more promising display of the pair first time out. 

Starting off his campaign in the five-and-a-half-furlong Cork Stakes at Navan, Willie McCreery’s gelding was noted travelling well towards the rear of the field as the runners flashed past the halfway point, but just as he was gathering a head of steam up on the downhill section, the door closed in his face and effectively ruined any chance he might have had of winning. Finishing his race of strongly, however, the seven-year-old gave out the sort of positive signals to indicate he retains all his old qualities and enthusiasm for the game and with seven-furlongs on soft ground very much his ideal conditions, he’s fancied to exact his revenge on his old rival who has to be said was a bit disappointing by his standards on his seasonal comeback in the Gladness Stakes at Naas.