Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Quite a few refugees from Royal Ascot are given a quick turnaround and of those that ran better than the bare result suggested, RAYONG (best price 17-2) is the one who makes the most appeal at the odds. Held in high regard at his Yorkshire base, Karl Burke’s colt made a pleasing start to his career when scoring with some authority at Carlisle a month ago and although the time figure wasn’t anything special, several in behind, such as Dragon Command and Spartan Fighter have gone on to boost the form. Thought good enough to take his chance in the Windsor Castle at Ascot last time out, the son of Mayson could only finish in mid-pack in that listed affair, but it may well have been a different story had he not received a hefty bump off one of his rivals just as he was getting up a head of steam going down to the final furlong. Allowed to come home in his own time, Rayong arrives here not having the hard race that some had at the Berkshire track and although the ground could have ideally done with being a little slower, he still should be good enough to leave some sort of impact on a race well within his capabilities.

Of the rest, Liberty Beach easily rates as the main threat following her slightly unlucky performance in the Queen Mary at the same meeting. In what was a strong and ultra-competitive renewal of that Group 2 contest for fillies, John Quinn’s inmate beat the seven horses that raced down the un-favourable part of the track and the way she travelled and quickened to achieved that feat heavily suggested she would have gone close to taking away the prize had she been drawn next to the big players down the stands side rail.

MARCHONS ENSEMBLE (best price 11-10) created a very favourable impression on his debut at Limerick last month and he rates a strong choice to make no mistake at the second time of asking.

Fancied in many quarters at the Patrickswell venue, Ger Lyons’ youngster turned for home in an unpromising position after getting caught on heels down the back straight, but he finished to such good effect that he managed to grab an unlikely runner-up spot on the line and if he hadn’t have met trouble in running at a crucial stage, he may have well prevailed. Given how strong his stable is in this department this season, it makes sense to think the son of Pour Moi will have come on greatly for that initial experience, and unless the unraced pair turn out to be above-average, he certainly has the beating of all those with a previous run.

SUNSET NOVA (best price 9-4) looks one to avoid at first glance, with those series of placed efforts no doubt an off putting trait for some, but on closer inspection, he has just been really unlucky on his last three starts and he’s afforded another opportunity to finally break his maiden tag.

Nutted on the line by Mistress Of Rome at Tipperary three starts ago, Andrew Slattery’s gelding was then fitted with the blinkers for the first time at Sligo in a bid to prevent his focus from going off kilter. Kicked into an early lead, the three-year-old looked as though he’d got it all wrapped up as he rounded the home turn only for the late thrust of Master Matt to once again chin him close home. Sent off favourite to make amends back at Tipperary last time out, any chance he may have had ended in the opening strides as the son of Zebedee totally blew the start (lost 10 lengths), but to his great credit he somehow managed to rescue something from the wreckage to finish a never-nearer third. Clearly this fella has plenty of ability and providing he hits the gate on terms this time, his run-style should be well suited by tonight’s sharp track.

Three-year-olds at this time of year who have yet to be given a chance to show their true worth are often dangerous when pitched into handicaps off a low mark and PERIPHERIQUE (best price 11-1) looks one to have a swing at following a couple of promising efforts on the all-weather previously.

Never placed to challenge on his first two starts, the daughter of Champs Elysees was clearly just learning the ropes, but her latest performance at Lingfield offered more by the way of encouragement and it’s that display that makes her a potentially intriguing runner here this evening. Held up in midfield, James Eustace’s filly got momentarily checked in her run coming down the hill at the Surrey venue and although she was never likely to be quickening up in the style of potential pattern-race horses ahead, she did keep on well in the closing stages to finish a never-nearer sixth. As the numbers of that race in question stack up well, she looks to have been given a chance by the assessor off an opening mark of just 55 and bred to get extreme distances, she should come into her own over the 1m6f trip.

VITRALITE (NAP) (best price 11-4) turned in a striking winning performance on debut over today’s course a month ago and he’s taken to repeat the dose with the extra furlong expected to bring about even further improvement. Nibbled at in the market beforehand, Karl Burke’s charge certainly knew his job at the Merseyside venue as he led the field a merry dance down to the halfway point and impressing in the way he kept lengthening all the way to the line thereafter, he readily held some exciting and highly-regarded sorts without being fully extended. Knocking out some seriously impressive backend sectionals in the process, one would imagine that the son of Moohaajim will be asked to serve it up to his rival on his return visit and even though he faces stiff competition against the likes Newmarket eye-catcher, Joyful Mission and potentially useful newcomer Dubai Future, he’s fancied to take care of business.