Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

NASEE (NAP) (best price 15-8) took a while to hit top gear when scoring over today’s course last time out and looking the type who would appreciate an even stiffer test, the step up in trip should bring about even further improvement.

First time in a handicap, Ed Vaughan’s gelding was well-backed to get the job done at the first time of asking and even though he put his supporters through the mixer inside the final two furlongs, he eventually wore down his opposition with a sustained challenge. Obviously, today’s conditions are totally different for his return visit to the seaside venue, but being out of family whose offspring, as a rule, thrive on soft ground, the chance is taken he can continue his progression.

ADMIRALS BAY (best price 7-2) came from a seemingly impossible position to win with a bit up his sleeve at Yarmouth last week and given that he looks the type to continue to improve, Andrew Balding’s gelding is fancied to keep his upward trajectory going in the right direction.

A big, scopey galloping type, the son of Mount Nelson showed a small amount of promise in some hot maidens without ever setting the world alight, but racing against a bunch of opponents who lacked any great ability at Yarmouth last time out, he stamped his authority on the field in uncertain terms. Last with over three furlongs to run, the three-year-old came with a long, withering run up the far side rail to catch his prey inside the final 50yards, and on the evidence of that performance he clearly looked way head of his handicap mark. Up just 5lb for his next assignment, the only issue would be today’s totally different surface, but in the hope that he has the size to power his way through the ground, he can provide his in-form handler with yet another winner.

BALEFIRE (best price 7-2) got his just rewards for a series of honourable performances in defeat when getting off the mark at Cork last time out and having also run well on his only previous visit to tonight’s track, there’s plenty of reasons to believe he can make a successful start to his life in handicap company. Runner-up in the first-time cheekpieces previously, Jessica Harrington’s colt went back to the Co Mallow venue as well-backed second favourite in what looked a competitive maiden on paper and having picked up the running after an early stage, he impressed by the way he finding for pressure all the way down the straight. Good on the numbers too, the runner-up that day, Pacific Ocean, also endorsed the form in the best possible fashion next time and with a run style that very much suits the way races often pan out at the Dublin track, the son of Shamardal might prove a difficult one to pass once in full cry.