Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Pinatubo looked the real deal when clocking a smart speed figure in victory on debut at Wolverhampton and if he can translate that sort of form (second and third both won since) from the all-weather to the turf, he will take the world of beating, but RAYONG (best price 4-1 w/o Pinatubo) was equally impressive in his own right on his opening bow at Carlisle and he rates the most appealing prospect of his main rivals in the ‘without the favourite’ market.

Well touted beforehand at the Yorkshire track, Karl Burke’s colt had the unenviable task of trying to overcome the outside stall against some highly-regarded sorts, so to win in the fashion that he did is testimony to his natural ability. Quickening up smartly in the closing stages, the son of Mayson proved too strong for the more-experienced Dragon Command and with the likelihood of even more to come now stepping up in trip, he should be capable of holding his own in this tougher assignment.

SALOUEN (best price 13-2) hasn’t quite managed to land that elusive Group 1 success, but he was a gallant runner-up in this race last season to the mighty Cracksman and a repeat of that level of form should allow Sylvester Kirk’s inmate to gain another big payday.

A gallant sixth in the Arc on his final start of the campaign, the son of Canford Cliffs began this season in the best possible fashion by winning with loads to spare against inferior opposition at Ascot and with that success bound to have done wonders for his confidence coming into his toughest assignment so far to date, he looks primed to prove equal to the task.

MEHDAAYIH (best price 3-1) proved at Chester last time out that she’s got the kind of gear change that can often make a difference at the very highest level and John Gosden’s filly can use that weapon she has in her armoury to full effect in what appears a wide-open Oaks.

Despite just beating one rival on the all-weather at Chelmsford on her first outing of the season, she clocked a time that suggested she’s worth a crack and something more substantial and as it turned out, she proved well up to the task when coming through with flying colours on the Roodee. Always travelling well in that competitive affair 23 days ago, the daughter of Frankel not only exhibited a smart turn of foot to seal the deal, she also proved she has plenty of stamina to match, and this well-balanced filly who comes out of a good middle draw, can provide her Newmarket handler with his third winner of this fillies’ classic.

Of those at bigger odds, TARNAWA (best price 33-1) appeals as one who can go better than her morning price suggests and she’s worth a small each-way saver just in case the main selection fails to come up to scratch.

One of the most experienced runners in the field, Dermot Weld’s chestnut filly has shown a consistent level of form in all the important Oaks trials run in Ireland and her latest effort at Naas highlighted her ability to knuckle down in a scrap. Off the back of a decent gallop at the Co Kildare venue, the daughter of Shamardal answered every question asked of her that day and hailing from a blood-line that suggests she will be even more effective over further, today’s test should suit her better than most.

WALKING ON GLASS (NAP) (best price 11-4) left all previous disappointing efforts well and truly behind with a massively improved display at Navan last time out and she’s strongly fancied to repeat the dose despite the handicapper doing his best to spoil her fun.

Heading into that big-field handicap at the Co Meath track, Padraig Roche’s filly hadn’t really shown enough to suggest she had the necessary qualities to topple the well-backed favourite Linger, but after travelling well in behind Joseph O’Brien’s charge for most of the journey, she simply blew her main market rival away with a devastating turn of foot. Granted that contest wasn’t a particularly strongly run affair and tonight’s test may turn out to be totally different by the way its run, but either way, she looked though whatever had previously been holding her back had been totally banished and with several in behind that day such as Brokopondo, Shake The Bucket and Mountain Fox all boosting the form since, she simply has to be followed until proven otherwise.

LYRICAL ATTRACTION (best price 6-1) ran out a thoroughly convincing winner of a competitive handicap at Cork last week and she’s fancied to keep up the good work while clearly in a positive frame of mind.

Fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time nine days ago, Jarlath Fahey’s filly impressed by the way she travelled at the Co Mallow venue and then once getting an opening up the far rail, she quickened on demand to pull well clear of her toiling rivals (posted best sectionals of those racing on the round course that night). Prior to that improved effort, the three-year-old had been in consistent form throughout the all-weather campaign at Dundalk and now that she gone and proven that she’s equally effective on turf, it makes sense to stay with the in-form filly for the foreseeable future.