Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

SPANISH STAR (best price 13-2) looked good when making a successful return to action at Bath 17 days ago and with today’s contest having the potential to pan out in his favour once again, he’s taken to repeat the dose.

Slowly away at the Somerset venue, Patrick Chaming’s gelding had plenty on his plate at the halfway stage, but in showing a smart change of gear in the latter stages, he managed to make up the lost leeway and win going away. Time-wise, it was a decent performance by the son of Requinto and having run well on his only two previous visits to today’s track, there’s a fair chance he can add to his winning tally.

DANCETERIA (best price 11-2) is very much the stable star at David Menuisier’s Pulborough yard and the imposing gelding is strongly fancied to continue his steady rise up the ranks. The four-year-old gave out signs of what might be to come with a breath-taking last-to-first victory over tonight’s course a year ago and following three more successes in higher grade, he found himself as one of the favourites for the Cambridgeshire.

Unfortunately, the son of Redoute’s Choice failed to live up to expectations on the Rowley Mile, but as he was probably feeling the effects of a long, hard season, a degree of leniency is attached to that uncharacteristic below-par effort. Freshened up by his winter break, he returned to the fray off a 154-day break to contest a listed event at Maisons-Laffite and having sat last for most of the mile journey, he came through with a powerful burst to claim the spoils late on.

Likely to be given a similar ride sitting chilly out the back by Jamie Spencer this evening, hopefully his trademark turn of foot can play a significant part at the business end.

It was in this race twelve months ago that Without Parole catapulted his way into the big league and it would come as no surprise if stable companion KING OF COMEDY (best price 10-3) were to follow a similar route. 

Impressive when making a winning debut over today’s course last July, John Gosden’s colt failed in his bid to keep his 100% record intact on his final start of the campaign as he found the softer conditions counting against him in a novice event at Redcar. Well-backed to get his season off to a flyer at Yarmouth last month, the Kingman colt delivered the goods in taking fashion and when you add on the numbers he posted at the seaside track to the visual impression he created, it makes perfect sense to see connections step him up in class.

Although he does carry his head a little skywards, it doesn’t appear to stop him going forwards and having already proven tonight’s stiff uphill climb suits him well, this classy-looking three-year-old might just be capable of booking a late ticket to Royal Ascot.

HISTORY WRITER (NAP) (best price 7-2) was a shade unfortunate not to finish a good deal closer in the Spring Cup at Newbury last time out and he’s fancied to cap off a fine evening for his shrewd operation. As we know, poor track position at Newbury on the straight course can prove to be a serious barrier to overcome and as it turned out, the early decision made by Jason Watson to switch his mount towards the bigger nearside group, ended up backfiring in a major way.

As it turned out, a little group of six over on the far aide (low numbers), ended up racing on the favoured part of the track, whereas those positioned away from the main action were quickly deemed dead in the water. The fact that the son of Canford Cliffs, therefore, managed to finish miles clear of all those that raced in the wrong huddle says a good deal for his talent and it’s a performance that deserved massively upgrading.

Having previously scored over tonight’s C&D as well as running well on his two previous visits to the Esher venue, it’s crystal clear that a stiff, uphill course suits his run-style down to the ground, and providing he can weave a passage through the pack from the back of the field (likely to be held up), the progressive gelding can put his Royal Hunt Cup credentials firmly in the shop window.