Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

No prizes for originality here, but COPPER KNIGHT (NAP) (best price 2-1) has so much in his favour, that it’s hard to make a cogent case for him not going well in this opening contest. A three-time winner last season when conditions were in his favour, Tim Easterby’s gelding shaped as though he badly needed the run on his opening salvo to this campaign, but at the same time he did more than enough to suggest he’d be a much bigger player next time out. Outpaced and behind after being a little tardy out of the stalls at the Scottish venue, the son of Sir Prancelot stayed on strongly in the closing stages to finish a never-nearer fourth behind the gambled-on Saaheq and with that initial outing likely to have brought him forward in all departments, a sharper exit from his favoured inside gate should see him bang in the thick of the action throughout.

COURT DUTY (best price 7-2) was entitled to get a little tired off the back of a 135-day break at Bangor last time out, but with that all-important run under his belt, he rates a more viable proposition in this slightly less taxing affair. On just his fourth start over fences, John Flint’s gelding produced his best display by quite some way, which makes it more unfathomable why he’s been subsequently dropped 3lb by the handicapper. Looking back to the last time the son of Court Cave shipped up at the Midland venue, he ran out an impressive winner of a competitive handicap hurdle and hailing from a stable that has had a couple of nice winners in the last few days, a big run looks on the cards.

CROWNTHORPE (best price 11-4) took a while to assume command at Beverley the other day, but he ultimately ran out quite an impressive winner and he looks in the frame of mind to take no prisoners again over a trip that should play into his strengths.

A creditable fifth in the Irish Lincoln on his opening gambit this season, Richard Fahey’s gelding probably would have finished a good deal closer to the improving New Graduate at Ripon had he received a better rub of the green inside the final three furlongs. Well-backed to vindicate the impression he created at the Yorkshire venue, the four-year-old duly obliged three days ago, and with all his best work coming in the closing stages of what turned out to be a well-run affair, a return to 1m2f around today’s track should prove ideal.

NIGH OR NEVER (best price 4-1) had to be considered a shade unfortunate to bump into the well-treated Midnightreferendum at Warwick last time out, but that said, he still pulled well clear of a useful field and a repeat of that effort should ensure he’s a big player again this afternoon. Held up in well-run race at the Midland venue, Ian Williams’ gelding was produced with what looked to be a well-timed challenge approaching two out, but unfortunately, he rather made a Horlicks of the last couple of flights and those mistakes finally put paid to any chance he may have had. Clearly well suited by today’s trip on decent ground (beware if they have any rain), the son of Excelebration has a golden opportunity to finally get off the mark after 15 previous failures.