Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

As we know, the draw is of paramount importance in all races at Chester, but even more so with inexperienced two-year-olds, so having shown bright speed to make all the running at Ripon last time out, GREAT DAME (best price 9-2) makes quite a bit of appeal in this traditional curtain raiser.

Too green to do herself justice in an above-average affair at Redcar on her debut (well-backed), David O’Meara’s filly clearly benefitted greatly from that initial experience on her next outing. Drawn out on the wing at the Yorkshire track, the daughter of Dandy Man somehow managed to get across from her coffin box stall to bag the stand side fence within a furlong and then she impressed by maintaining a cracking gallop all the way to the line. Nicely berthed this afternoon just one away from the inside fence (stall one unoccupied) she can hopefully break cleanly and get herself into apposition where she will be competitive throughout.

We are all guilty of following a horse over a cliff, often for all the wrong reasons, but for those of us that backed TECHNICIAN (best price 4-1) at Sandown last time out, there are real grounds to believe he was a shade unlucky and is worth keeping on side until proven otherwise.

Highly regarded by his stable, Martyn Meade’s colt made the perfect start to his three-year-old campaign with a win of some substance at Leicester a month ago and off the back of that fine display, connections were fully entitled to see whether they’d got a genuine Derby horse on their hands by sending him to Sandown’s Classic trial to find out. Held up going well just in behind the speed at the Esher track, the son of Mastercraftsman unfortunately got no luck in running at a crucial stage and even though he finally burrowed his way out of the pocket inside the final furlong, the dye was cast with the eventual winner Bangkok getting first run. Having already proven himself over 1m4f, today’s step back up in trip will suit and providing he gets a decent early position from his low draw, the likeable grey has a big chance of booking his ticket to Epsom.

BORN IN THE U S A (best price 16-1) shaped with a good deal more promise than the official result suggests at Navan last time out, and he’s worth more than a second look at a big price on his handicap debut.

In all fairness, Sarah Lynam’s inmate didn’t show much in two starts as a juvenile, but following a gelding operation during the close season, he clearly ran with more encouragement for the future and that makes him an interesting proposition off his bargain basement mark (51). The way he finished off his race inthe un-favoured part of the track (low numbers had significant advantage), the son of Born To Sea should appreciate today’s stiffer examination and providing he’s not too intimidated by the intricate natural of the track, there’s every chance he will outrun his morning odds.

SHENNAN (NAP) (best price 7-4) ran the sort of race first time out that has been synonymous with his patient handler over the years and he’s taken to build on his encouraging performance on his debut at Cork 18 days ago. Sent off a largely unfancied 16-1 at the Co Mallow venue, clearly not a great deal was expected of the Rip Van Winkle colt, but in defying his market weakness, he showed he has plenty of natural ability. Although he couldn’t quite match the tactical speed of the well-fancied winner, Georgeville, he impressed by the way he picked up takingly inside the final furlong and given the way he hit the line strong, the three-furlong home straight should enable him to engage top gear and give him a chance of breaking his maiden tag at the second time of asking.

INSANE BOLT (best price 3-1) came from a long way back to gain his breakthrough success in a similar handicap over today’s C&D on Sunday and he’s fancied to uphold the form with old rival Meryems Way on his return visit to the Co Kilkenny track. Promising over 7f here on his first start of the campaign when noted staying well from the rear of the field to finish a creditable fourth, Johnny Murtagh’s gelding really benefitted from the step up in trip the other day when coming from a similarly uncompromising position. Although there’s bound to be complications trying to get a clear run around tonight’s track from his inside drawn, hopefully he will have gained enough knowledge now in order to overcome any slight problems and with forecast rain also seen as a positive towards his prospects, the improving three-year-old can continue his progression.