Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

KURIOUS (best price 17-2) had to be considered a slightly unlucky loser in a hot five-furlong handicap at Sandown on her seasonal bow and with today’s trip threatening to bring about even more improvement from Henry Candy’s filly, she’s expected to make some sort of impact.

Stuck out on the wing and dropped out from her high draw at the Esher venue, the daughter of Kuroshio still had plenty on her plate as the field past halfway, but despite meeting trouble in running, she came home strongest of all to get within a head of the eventual winner, Leodis Dream. Form-wise, the race couldn’t have worked out any better with first and fourth fighting out the finish of a subsequent Chester handicap, the third also running with credit from a bad draw on the Roodee, and hailing from a team hitting a bit of a purple patch at present, the lightly-raced three-year-old is entitled to plenty of respect.

TWENTY MINUTES (best price 9-2) scored in the style of an improved performer at Naas last week and he’s fancied to continue in the right direction despite today’s race being a much tougher assignment.

Winless in 12 previous outings, the combination of cheekpieces and a tongue-tie were tried in a bid to snap that losing spell and low and behold, they worked the trick in no uncertain terms. Dropped right out the back door from his wide draw, Damien English’s gelding seemingly faced an uphill battle as the field approached the two-furlong pole, but finding a smart turn of foot down the outside, he swept by his 12 opponents to score in emphatic fashion. Likely to be given plenty of time to find his feet again this afternoon, the stiff climb to the line from two out should really suit the son of Rip Van Winkle’s game and it makes perfect sense to keep him on side representing a yard that struck gold again last night with Geological.

The race fought out by Moraawed and DAZZLING DAN (best price 11-2) at Doncaster 22 days ago could hold the key to this prize and the latter rates as a sporting choice to get revenge on his old rival.

Ultimately, the former did really well to cut down Pam Sly’s charge on Town Moor, but it was the way the main selection went through the race which left an ever-lasting impression. Setting off with a degree of intent to make the running, the son of Dandy Man had the field at full stretch by halfway and then when he kicked on for home at the two pole, it looked like for all the world he’d win. Eventually worn down by the well-backed winner close home, he had to be carried out on his shield, but with the pair miles clear of the rest and the time figure very good, his reputation was even further enhanced. Given how traditionally tough it can be to make all the running at Doncaster on the straight track, today’s course should be more beneficial to his free-going run style and being the sort to continue to progress, it would come as something of a surprise if he wasn’t vying for major honours.

Predictably, Le Brivido has been popular in the build up to this contest following an encouraging debut for new connections at Naas, but while it isn’t impossible to overcome his poor draw in stall 14, history suggests it will take a tremendous effort by Aidan O’Brien’s five-year-old to win from his stands side pitch. Similarly, Laurens and Lord Glitters also have high numbers to withstand so if there’s to be a shock of sorts, SHARJA BRIDGE (best price 12-1) might be capable of pulling off the giant-killing act.

Although he was ultimately beaten fair and square by Beat The Bank when raised in class at Sandown last time out, that effort at least proved he belongs in this sort of company and now racing back over a more preferable straight track, Roger Varian’s gelding can prove what a decent horse he is under his optimum conditions. The time when he has got a flat, galloping track to race over he ran out a very impressive winner in a fast time at Doncaster and any showers that might be forthcoming in the Berkshire area will also do his credentials no harm.

As we know, a wide draw at Chester is virtually curtains for any of the participants, so the fact that AL ERAYG (best price 8-1) managed to run so well as he did despite giving away so much ground in a hot handicap on the Roodee last week means he has to be of some interest back on a more level playing field this afternoon.

Having his first outing for 185 days, the son of Oasis Dream was unlucky to be given stall 14 in the ballot and as a result, he went off a big-priced outsider. However, the way he stuck to his task and kept on well inside the final two furlongs intimated he could be a good bit better than his current rating and providing there’s sufficient ease in the ground that will allow him to run to somewhere near maximum capacity, Tim Easterby’s substantial gelding can outrun his morning odds.

SEA OF FAITH (best price 5-2) was a massive eye-catcher in a useful fillies’ novice event at Sandown on her racecourse debut and she’s strongly fancied to take the necessary step forward in a similar way that stable mate Sea Of Class did here in this race last season.

Slow away and detached early on, William Haggas’ filly continued to run green throughout the first part of the contest at the Esher venue and it wasn’t until the bitter end until she finally worked out what she was supposed to be doing. Coming home with a degree of purpose, the daughter of Sea The Stars flashed through the line full of running, leaving no doubt that she would be a totally different proposition second time around. Although the winner, Sparkle Roll, was a bit disappointing in the Muisidora at York this week, at least the fifth home, La Lune boosted the form with a tidy win at Salisbury and even at this late stage, it’s not too late for her to put her credentials for something like the Oaks or Ribblesdale firmly on the table.