Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

An unusual race in many respect because none of the participants have yet to race at today’s track and that includes ORANGE BLOSSOM (best price 6-1) who arrives here having contested a red-hot fillies’ handicap at Doncaster recently.

In a race where the pace was strong from the outset, Richard Fahey’s filly hung tough until just caving in towards the final strides, but in finishing a close-up fourth behind the likes of subsequent winners Springwood Drive and Maid Of Spirit, she clearly ran to a very high standard for the grade. Amazingly dropped a pound despite running to a career high, the daughter of Showcasing arguably has one of the best pieces of form on offer yet is available to back at 6-1, so providing she takes to today’s unique track, there’s every chance she will outstrip her morning odds.

A cracking handicap hurdle in prospect with most of the field having tasted success at the Lake District venue at some stage and of the octet, DÉCOR IRLANDAIS (best price 6-1) makes the most appeal at the morning odds.

In cracking from throughout the summer, Noel Kelly’s gelding quickly took to today’s venue with a smooth success back in June, and he quickly followed up with another dominate display over the same C&D a month later. Interestingly, that victory was gained on the same card that Mr Clarkson and Justatenner fought out the finish of the big handicap hurdle over the same 2m6f trip an hour later and it’s worth pointing out that the son of Hello Sunday ran the last circuit 2.2 seconds quicker without coming off the bridle. Unfortunately, the six-year-old travelled too well for his own good when bidding for the hat trick at Sligo last time out and he just got run out of the argument close home, but now returning to today’s sharp venue that clearly suits his high cruising speed, Décor Irlandais has every chance of going in again providing his amateur pilot can ride a more patient waiting race on his mount this time around.

CANADIAN STEEL (NAP) (best price 9-2) has been kept busy during the last few months, but he seems to be holding his form together quite nicely and back at a track where he knows better than most, the 10-year-old looks almost certain to go again with a clear round.

Since returning to action in May, Noel Kelly’s gelding has yet to finish out of the money in eight starts and although he got beaten in rather inauspicious circumstances at Tramore recently, he still remains one to keep on side. Given a very confident ride at the Waterford venue, the 10-year-old looked all over the winner going down to the last only for him to falter on the run-in and allow 25-1 poke Fu’s Island to pick his pocket. Whether the son of Craigsteel was still feeling the effects of his win over today’s track four days earlier it’s hard to say, but either way, he should have been freshened up subsequently and providing he arrives here in the sort of form he’s been showing of late then it’s hard to see him not having a significant part to play in proceedings.