Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE (best price 7-4) clocked a smart speed figure when hosing up at Nottingham last week and she looks primed to take the step up in class in her stride. 

Heading into that contest off the back of a useful effort behind the equally smart Maqsad on her seasonal return, John Gosden’s filly proved unanimously that she’d benefitted greatly from that initial outing by powering well clear of her field at the Colwick Park track. The further she went that day, the stronger she became, and with her closing numbers pointing towards the performance being one of a potential high-class filly in the making, today will tell us for certain whether those beliefs will come to fruition.

Stradivarius has been the undisputed king of this division for the last two seasons and he’s clearly going to take plenty of beating over a track his record reads 2-2, but he faces no muppet in the shape of ISPOLINI (best price 9-2) and the Godolphin runner can certainly give the favourite something to think about if nothing else.

A big improver out in the desert this winter, the son of Dubawi worked his way through the ranks to deservedly have a crack at the big Group 2 prize on Dubai World Cup night and even though he came up just a little short of the mark, finishing runner-up to Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter has to be considered a huge step in the right direction. Having travelled equally as well as his illustrious stable mate for most of the journey only to be outstayed inside the final furlong, today’s drop back down to his more favoured 1m6f trip should suit and with fitness on his side, he rates a stick-on each-way proposition for all each-way thieves. 

The maiden won by King Of Comedy at Yarmouth late last month looked a very good one of its type and having played significant roles in second and third respectively, LAND OF LEGENDS (best price 6-4) and EDARAAT (best price 18-1) are worth playing against the field.

The former was the only one good enough to go with the short-priced favourite in the closing stages and it was only lack of greenness and match practice that proved his undoing in the final analysis. However, with the pair well clear and the time figure suggesting he’d run to an extremely high standard on his debut, there’s every chance that with just normal improvement he might have enough in his locker to contend heavily with favourite, Velorum, from the same ownership. 

Although eight lengths behind the two main players at the seaside track, the latter did more than enough to suggest he’s a decent prospect in the making and it would come as no surprise if he were to significantly bridge the gap with his old rival now he’s had that all-important run under his belt. Not getting going until it was too late to make any real impact, Roger Varian’s colt, however, impressed by the way he finished off his race late on and with today’s stiffer examination likely to play more into his strengths, it would be churlish not to risk a little each-way saver in his direction.

Several promising types go to post for this intriguing three-year-old handicap and the two that make the most appeal at the morning prices are SUMMER MOON (best price 7-2) and BEECHWOOD JUDE (best price 12-1).

The former, in-keeping with his pedigree, improved markedly for a step up in trip on his seasonal debut at Windsor two weeks ago and he looks the type who should be well-suited by the galloping nature of today’s track.

Although the latter has yet to win a race in four starts, he gave out strong signals that he won’t be too long in shedding his maiden tag by the way he finished off his race from a long way back at Doncaster first time off the shelf and hailing from a stable in terrific form in recent times, Keith Dalgleish’s gelding is worth more than a second look in the market. 

ARTHURIAN FAME (NAP) (best price 11-4) delivered the goods in terrific style on his seasonal reappearance at Naas 34 days ago and he’s given the confident vote to dish out a similar beating despite the assessor doing his best to try and spoil the party.

On many occasions last season, Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old left the impression he was a good bit better than his results suggested and following a gelding operation in the close season, he finally delivered a performance in-keeping with his natural ability. Held up at the Co Kildare venue, the son of Camelot was produced with a long sustained run down the centre of the track that carried him into the lead over a furlong out and he maintained the strong gallop all the way to the line to win in comfortable fashion.

Moreover, his overall speed figure and closing sectionals came out much better than the top-class filly Magical on the same card, so even though tonight’s task suggests he may have to take another big step forward, the numbers point towards him having the capabilities to offset his new rating.