Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

SPANISH MISSION (best price 5-1) seems to be improving with each run and he’s fancied to consolidate his winning performance in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket recently.

Pitched into the deep end off the back of just three relatively low-key races, David Simcock’s colt justified his first try in pattern company when making the useful Private Secretary pull out all the stops over today’s C&D. Upped in trip and class respectively at HQ last time, the son of Noble Mission answered every call by beating a strong field in a fast time and this St Leger entry comes here to see whether he can book his ticket to Doncaster a month later.

SURROUNDING (best price 5-2) has been a model of consistency in recent times and thanks to her low draw, has been given a great chance to further enhance her stock. Not out of the first three in her last nine starts, Micky Halford’s mare has delivered the goods more often than not and her latest success at Fairyhouse was achieved with a good deal of authority. Always going well at the Co Meath venue, the daughter of Lilbourne Lad showed the requisite turn of foot when needed to put the race to bed and with today’s stiff seven-furlongs ideal in every way, she just needs a clear run through around the inside to be a major factor at the business end.

DRAGON COMMAND (best price 7-1) had to be marked down as a slightly unlucky loser at York last time out but he at least arrives here on an attractive-looking mark based on that run and he should turn out to be competitive with a clear run in this wide-open affair.

In deep against the likes of Rayong and the mighty Pinatubo earlier in the season, George Scott’s got off the mark in much calmer waters at Hamilton two starts ago and following that impressive win, he was given what looked a decent chance off a rating of 78 on the Knavesmire 19 days ago. Just getting up a nice head of steam at the two furlong, he got squeezed out at a vital moment of the race and unable to regather his thoughts, he could only keep on to finish a never-nearer fourth. Given his run style and being out of War Command, by an Azamour mare, an extra furlong could well turn out to be key and if the first-time visor works in a positive fashion, he has the qualities to run a big race.

Some promising sorts go to post for this useful novice event and it’s a contest that POPONG (best price 10-1)  should be capable of playing a leading role based on her levels of improvement of late. A winner of a maiden hurdle on debut at Wexford back in April, Henry De Bromhead’s mare just found one too good on her next start at Cork but in no way did she lose anything in defeat. Back on track at Roscommon last time, the five-year-old impressed with the way she travelled before quickening away from her six rivals and with the equally-promising Hugh Morgan in the plate, the combination are set to continue their strong association.

Having won the race twice in the last three years, Willie Mullins looks to have set his stall out to plunder this valuable prize once again as he sends to post three strong contenders from an original eight at the final forfeit stage. Riven Light is shortest in the betting and he has to be respected on the basis of all his previous form around this unique track. Better known for his exploits on the Flat, and is noteworthy that the son of Raven’s Pass bypasses the big mile handicap on day one that he has won for the last two years’. Having not run over hurdles for 825 days, fitness won’t be an issue as he has recently run well at Royal Ascot. Stratum is useful but he does come here off the back of a slightly disappointing effort in the Northumberland Plate, when he engine seemed to give out when the chips were down.

The most interesting runner hailing from the Closutton stable, therefore, is arguably SHANNING (best price 8-1) and she rates the first of the recommended bets.

A massive gamble when not quite seeing out the 2m7f trip here last year, the daughter of Spanish Moon went on to run with great credit behind the well-handicapped Ballyoisin at the Listowel Festival a month later, backing up the view that she is better over the minimum trip. Slightly disappointing when not seeing out a strong-run 2m4f at the Punchestown Festival on her final start to the campaign, the six-year-old mare looked on good terms with herself when easily accounting for three rivals at Killarney on her comeback run and with that outing likely to have put a nice edge to her fitness levels, she’s fancied to go well at a track which she clearly enjoys.

The other one to catch the eye on recent form is DAVIDS CHARM (best price 14-1) and he’s taken to run a good deal better than he did in this race twelve months ago. Well found in the market that day, John Walsh’s inmate never gave his supporters much hope of landing the gamble after missing the break and being hampered at the first before eventually finishing halfway down the field. A cracking fifth in the big 2m4f handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May, the eight-year-old arrives here off the back of two solid performances on the Flat (unlucky at the Curragh last time) which point towards a horse that remains right at the top of his game who can right the wrongs of last year.

LUSIS NATUREA (best price 6-1) did a nice turn for this column at Down Royal last week and there’s no reason to desert Paul Traynor’s gelding while he seems in the rudest of health.

An eye-catching runner-up at Navan on his first start for new connections, the eight-year-old made no mistake second time around at Co Down venue six days ago and the way he scampered away from his rivals in the latter stages suggested he’s a horse right on top of his game at present. Clearly at home over a well-run 1m4f on a stiff galloping track, today’s venue, therefore should prove ideal, and providing he can secure a position from his favourable low draw, it’s hard to see him not being involved in the finish. Of the rest, today’s winner, One Cool Poet, would have been seen as a bigger danger but for his coffin box draw in stall 18 which is bound to make life even more difficult for a horse who has to be produced to a nicety.