Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

KENTUCKYCONNECTION (best price 16-1) hasn’t had the rub of the green on last two starts and with bookmakers rather missing out that fact, Bryan Smart’s gelding is fancied make the layers pay for their oversight.

A good winner over six-furlongs at Newcastle back in April, the six-year-old was quietly fancied to follow up at Carlisle next time over a furlong further, but on a day where the draw and early track position away from the inside fence was key, he never had a chance of competing on a level playing field with those who raced on the better ground around the outside. Back down in trip at Pontefract last time out, the son of Include unfortunately got handed the coffin box draw and although he did some good late work down the outside to suggest he would have been involved in the finish granted a level playing field, he was always fighting against the unequal struggle. Up in trip and better drawn here this afternoon, a well-run race and a clear run through should see him bang on the premises.

PARTY PLAYBOY (NAP) (best price 5-1) has yet to make a massive impact in eight starts on the Flat, but following his deserved and breakthrough success at Down Royal over hurdles 12 days ago, there’s a new-found optimism surrounding Anthony Mullins’ inmate on his return to the level.

Heading into that competitive affair at the Co Down track a 17-race maiden, the five-year-old chestnut looked to have only a fair each-way chance at best of breaking his duck, but in what turned out to be a very strongly-run heat, he really came into his own. Staying on strongest of all in the latter stages, the son of Samum came away in taking fashion to win with a bit to spare and with the time figure also agreeing with the manner of victory, he looks one to keep on side for the present moment in time. A fine third on his penultimate outing in this sphere at Ballinrobe, tonight’s step up to 2m1f should really suit and in the hands of the promising conditional Luke McGuiness (seen to good effect on Shanroe in a Perth bumper recently), the five-year-old makes plenty of appeal.