Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Jubiloso sets a very high standard with her excellent third in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes the standout piece of form, but at better odds, it may be worth taking a chance that LYZBETH (best price 33-1) might be capable of scaling the daunting heights set by connections after only two career starts.

Promising but ultimately only fifth on debut at Ascot last season, Martyn Meade’s filly soon made up for lost time by winning a novice event at Doncaster on the back of a 301-day break and even though that performance would appear a far cry from a race of today’s infinite rise in class, there’s a little more substance to that victory on Town Moor than meets the eye. Firstly, the race in question was a particularly well-run affair considering there was just a small field and secondly, the runner-up, third and fourth have all gone on to boost the form with victories next time out. Clearly, today’s examination will test not only her raw qualities but also her ability to handle a much bigger and better field, which might turn out to be her Achilles heel. That said, she hails from a yard who worked their magic with a similar filly in the shape of Wilamina back in 2016 (stable think she could be Group class) and from a relatively favourable draw, she’s worth a small interest at her tall odds to see whether she’s got what it takes.

There was a lot to like about the way DUKE OF HAZZARD (best price 10-3) went about his work in the first-time headgear at Newmarket last time out and he rates a strong choice to repeat the dose at a track where he’s been successful in the past. Heading into HQ on the back of an excellent run in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, Paul Cole’s colt was surprisingly allowed to go off a pretty unconsidered 10-1 in a six-runner affair, but in defying his position in the market, he found a ready turn of foot late on to score with a good degree of authority and comfort. With similar Ascot refugees well beaten in behind that day, there’s no reason to doubt the form and with the time figure also agreeing, a well-run contest this afternoon is likely to play into his strengths.

The booking of Jamie Spencer for ESCOBAR (best price 10-1) seemed a marriage made in heaven at York last time out and the mercurial Irishman will hopefully be seen to good effect for the second time on a horse who clearly takes a bit of humouring.

Illustrissime was quite impressive on her debut for Dan Skleton and will clearly have her supporters, but whether she’s good enough to cope with the equally progressive SEE THE SEA (NAP) (best price 9/4)  is open to question and there’s no doubt Donald McCain’s mare rates the value pick of the pair. Runner-up in both her first two starts, the daughter of Sea The Stars really came alive on her latest outing at Cartmel, setting off at a good gallop at the start before gradually winding up the pace and grinding her opponents into submission. Indeed, her final circuit time was significantly faster than the big-field handicap won by track specialist Wells De Lune so providing she can translate that level form around today’s course, there’s every chance she’ll put the short-priced favourite to the sword.

Quite a few unexposed types open to any amount of improved in this tightly-knit nursery and one of the more interesting runners under that very basis is OWNEY MADDEN (best price 12-1). Promising on his first two starts, Martyn Meade’s colt put his experience to good use when scoring on his latest outing at Newbury and with the winning time he posted suggesting it was a race of some substance, his opening mark of 81 doesn’t appear too brutal. Seemingly well-suited by a strongly-run six-furlongs, the son of Oasis Dream is parked out where all the best horses are situated and with his ability handle today’s track confirmed and see out the trip well, he makes plenty of each-way appeal at his morning odds.

Horses that run here earlier in the week have a decent record over the years on their return visits to Ballybrit (One Cool Poet doubled up here yesterday) so it’s pretty easy to make a solid case for Wednesday’s hurdle winner BERCASA (best price 4-1).

Racing keenly in the early stages, Anthony Mullins’ filly looked as though she’d picked up the running way too soon as she bounded into a decent lead after the fourth, but she kept up the gallop all the way to the line and in the end she ran out a convincing winner. Running a fast overall time and a much quicker final lap than both Diamond Hill and Ilikedwayurthinkin, the daughter of Casamento rubber-stamped her current wellbeing in no uncertain terms and providing she’s come out of the race in a similar heart, it’s difficult to see her not going well again under identical conditions.

LEVER DU SOLEIL (best price 15-2) has also been in terrific shape of late, plundering a series of races on the Flat in the UK, and he makes plenty of appeal now he returns to the jumps game off what appears a fair enough mark. A useful juvenile last season. Some of his better efforts came in well-run races, and this Grade 3 third from Fairyhouse last term can keep up the great run of his trainer of late.

CAMPHOR (best price 7-1) forced the assessor recalculate his sums after a breathtakingly-easy win in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal last time out and she’s fancied to give the handicapper even more sleepless nights by taking this competitive contest.

A convincing winner of a maiden at Navan the time before, Jessica Harrington’s filly was well-backed to take care of an opening mark of 79 at the Co Down venue and after travelling like the proverbial good thing throughout, she left her field for dead with a tremendous turn of foot inside the final furlong. Indeed, her closing sectionals were much superior to those clocked by Dodoozdart in the Ulster Derby half-an-hour earlier and with the likelihood of even more to come now she faces an extra two furlongs, this daughter of Camelot can continue her progression and provide her in-form handler with another notable success.