Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

May Remain has been knocking at the door for quite some time now, but the cold facts remain that he’s gone two years without managing to get his head in front, so at the prices he’s passed over in favour of ART OF UNITY (NAP) (best price 7-2).

Although not having a great win-to-run ratio either, John Feane’s gelding has arguably been a slightly more consistent performer in recent times and his runner-up spot to the improving Face Off at Navan last time out suggests his winning turn isn’t too long down the road. In a strongly-run affair at the Co Meath track, the four-year-old was the only one who offered any resistance to the winner inside the final two furlongs and with the pair well clear of plenty of regulars at this sort of level, it’s no surprise that the handicapper saw fit to raise him in the ratings for his pains. That said, today’s contest doesn’t look that deep, and having run well to finish behind Hathiq is a much stronger race than the one he faces this afternoon, a big run looks on the cards from his potentially favourable high draw (presuming they tack over to the stands side on likely rain-softened ground).

Bayshore Freeway is a likeable filly and isn’t easily opposed but providing all eight remaining runners go to post, then the percentage call could be to play MAKAWEE (best price 6-1) from an each-way perspective. Improving through the ranks, the daughter of Farhh shipped up in the big lady amateur riders race at York last time out on the back of two previous smooth wins and even though she couldn’t quite complete the hat trick, she still came out of the race with great credit. Dropped out the back due to her high draw, she was forced to make her ground up in the hottest part of the race and despite keeping on stoically all the way to the line, she wasn’t able to overcome the impossible. Nicely draw today in stall one, she should be able to save vital energy around the inside and with her decent cruising speed also likely to keep her handy, she should be in the perfect spot to challenge when hitting the hill and rounding the home turn.

FORECAST (best price 6-1) looked the most likely winner at Aintree last time out until just not quite seeing out the three-mile trip, but now dropping back to his optimum distance and having gone well at today’s track on his only previous visit, there’s every expectation of another bold show from Martin Keighley’s top-weight.

Looking back, trying to give weight away to subsequent winner Follow The Bear was also a difficult task in itself and he’s better judged on his previous performance when he readily took care of Theatrebar, who has boosted the form since. Runner-up to the smart Fideux when last seen here a year ago over two miles, the son of Observatory has also finishing within striking distance of the top-class pair Paisley Park and Aux Ptits Soins in a couple of quality handicaps since, so it doesn’t take a genius to work out that he should be capable of holding his own in this sort of company.

Some progressive and in-form three-year-olds go to post here and a chance is taken on KILLOURNEY (best price 5-1) being up to scratch on his first start in handicap company. Runner-up to the useful Tankerville on his debut last year, Willie McCreery’s gelding looked badly in need of the run on his first outing of the season at Cork back in April. Returning to action a month later at Gowran, the son of Zoffany made light work of eight opponents in a maiden ay Gowran and even though he probably didn’t beat a stellar field, it was the manner of the performance that stood out. A big, strapping type who’s open to any amount of improvement, he should be fine even if the ground changes due to the forecast rain and a positive ride should ensure that he enters the home straight on the right part of the track (runners usually tack over on soft ground).