Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

In what looks a straight shootout between Punchestown winners PEARL OF THE WEST (best price 7-4) and Elfile, the former is taken to come out on top over a trip that might just suit her best of the pair.

Disappointing in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, John McConnell’s mare went into a competitive handicap hurdle on day-one of the Festival with not a massive amount of expectation surround her chance, but despite the general market malaise, she ended up readily accounting for her 11 rivals. More patiently ridden that normal at the Co Kildare venue, the daughter of Teofilo seemed to thrive under her new role and having shown previously that she’s also equally effective in a small-field tactical environment, she might just be able to put her basic speed to good use against her main market rival who would appear to be slightly better over further based on her latest exploits.

Some lovely long-term prospects on show for this decent-looking 1000 Guineas trial, none more so than HAMARIYNA (best price 9-2) who’s created a favourable impression on both her two starts to date. Firstly, Micky Halford’s filly caught the eye with the way she finished off her race to pick up the third spot on debut over today’s course and secondly, how she went about her work in the closing stages of her breakthrough success at Tipperary last time out. Although not wildly impressive, there was still plenty to like about the way she got the job done and with the likelihood of even more to come in the care of a trainer who tends to bring his horses to the boil gradually, the daughter of Sea The Moon has the potential to gain some valuable black type of some description.

LAKEMILAN (best price 6-1) showed last time out at Cork that a mini-break had certainly done him no harm and now returning to a venue that has served him pretty well in the past, Terence O’Brien’s gelding looks primed to put up another bold display.

Returning to the fray after a 169-day absence, the seven-year-old was quietly fancied to go well in a competitive 2m3f handicap at the Co Mallow track and as the main players approached the second last, it looked as though he might go and land the spoils. Unfortunately, not able to quicken as well as the eventual winner on the run-in, the son of Milan had to settle for an honourable runner-up spot but at least that went some way to highlight his current wellbeing. Often a horse for this time of year when the ground is good, this largely consistent performer was a game winner of a similar contest the last time he shipped up here last August and with that victory taking his course form figures to 143, it’s easy to see why he rates a solid each-way proposition at the morning odds.