Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

As we’ve seen numerous times this week through horses such as One Cool Poet (three times), Make A Challenge, Great Trango and Mr Adjudicator, there’s a big advantage to be had for those who’ve already had a spin around Ballybrit earlier in the week and with that being the case, both ROVETTA (16-1) and CHESS GRAND MASTER (18-1) are worth chancing against the field despite being refugees from the big amateur rider race on Monday.

The former has an almost impossible task right from the start being housed in the very outside stall and to compound matters, Jessica Harrington’s mare got no cover in her bid to tuck into the pack and, as a consequence, ended up running the entire race stuck out in the reeds. To only be beaten 10 lengths in the end, therefore, wasn’t a bad effort under the circumstances and it at least proved that she harbours a similar appetite to last season. A dual winner under both codes here twelve months ago, she’s clearly better than her finishing position suggested six days ago and she’s worth another chance to get back on track over a trip that should suit.

It’s difficult to say where the latter would have finished in the same race the other night, but what we can say is that he had no chance of recovering from the hefty bump he received rounding the home bend when just getting up a head of steam. Although his overall form over hurdles is nothing to rave about, he has been in decent form in recent times on the turf and the all-weather, and off what appears a fairly attractive mark, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if the son of Galileo were to provide connections their second winner of the week (Linger landed a gamble here on the first day).

JOT’EM DOWN (best price 4-1) was ultimately flattered by the losing margin against the very well handicapped The Jam Man at Cartmel last time out, but he still beat the rest fair and square and as the speed figure of the race in question suggested he’d run to a decent standard, today’s opposition offers him a more realistic chance of winning.

A winner first time out over fences since wind surgery, David Bridgwater’s gelding has continued to respond well to that operation since and that effort at the Lake District venue was testimony to his consistency. Representing a stable in excellent form at present, there’s every chance he can provide his Gloucestershire handler with his fourth winner in the last two weeks.

It’s usually best to keep things simple in this game and that notion applies to siding with Tuesday’s big winner SALTONSTALL (best price 10-3) in his bid to follow up. Laid out by local connections to land the big pot, Ado McGuinness’ gelding could have easily been derailed by his poor stall position in trap 14 of the 18-strong field, but that didn’t turn out to be the case as he made light work of that impost to score with a bit up his sleeve. Despite racing wide and having to swing around the entire field going up the hill and into the straight, the son of Pivotal kept up the revs and momentum all the way to the line and it was no surprise either to find out that he’d clocked a smart speed figure when analysing the nuts and bolts of the race afterwards. Much better drawn here today in stall seven, he should be able to hold a more prominent position that he did six days ago and knowing how well he’s likely to come home from the two-furlong pole, it’ll be difficult to contain him once he’s in full cry.

Despite a poor run in the same mile race on Monday, it would be no surprise if TURNBERRY ISLE (best price 12-1) were to run a lot better now he has a complete role reversal with regards to the draw. Posted out in the cheap seats here the other night (18 of 18), his race was run from a very early stage, but now housed in a much more convenient stall next to the rail given his attacking run-style, this previous dual winner can strike back in an instant.

Chances aplenty seemingly in this handicap chase but both ROCKY COURT (best price 8-1) and LUCKY PAT (best 14-1) have enough track knowledge between them in order for them to play significant roles with a clear round.

The former looks to have been saved specifically for a tilt at this prize given the manner of his preparation and it would come as no surprise if he were to go close to adding to Tony Martin’s list of achievements here this week. A creditable runner-up on his first start since leaving old connections off the back of a 230-day break, the 10-year-old was given a nice little prep run on the Flat last time out in order to just to keep him ticking over and now returning to track where he’s a veteran of no fewer than 11 races, he can put that valuable experience to good use.

The latter also looks to have been kept back especially for a race he was runner-up in last year and following a cracking effort at Tipperary recently, his preparations couldn’t have gone any smoother. Although no match for the useful Deans Road at the Limerick Junction venue, Di Love’s gelding finished ahead of some notable names in behind and with that effort coming off the back of a 76-day break, it’s reasonable to anticipate some sort of improvement fitness-wise. Any rain would also be welcome regards his chances.

It would have taken a brave man to suggest Linger would be chalked up at 9-2 on his return visit to Ballybrit after demolishing his field in a handicap hurdle on the opening day of the meeting, but that has become the case largely due to his extremely unfavourable draw in stall 17. Moreover, he’s up against a rival in the shape of EIGHT AND BOB (NAP) (best price 10-3) who already beaten him on the Flat this season and for that reason, Willie Mullins’ gelding is fancied to confirm the form from what is likely to turn out to be a much more advantageous draw.

The pair met in a competitive handicap over 1m4f at Tipperary in June and after travelling well throughout, the six-year-old accounted for an 18-strong field, including Linger who was beaten on merit back in third to the tune of four lengths. Backed off the boards to repeat the dose here four days ago, the son of Big Bad Bob, like so many others in the race, were allowed to sleepwalk through the majority of the contest as Upgraded merrily did his own thing way out in front, and even though he did his best to repair some of the damage during the final half a mile, the winner never looked like relinquishing his unassailable position. With his two main market rivals bound to use up vital early energy trying to get across from the outside, Eight And Bob will hopefully be able to conserve most of his, and if that proves to be the case and he gets a more positive ride, he has the ideal opportunity to supply his red-hot trainer with yet another winner here this week.