Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

A race in which Aidan O’Brien has dominated in recent times (Intelligence Cross, U S Navy Flag and Ten Sovereigns won last three renewals) and of the trio the Ballydoyle maestro sends to post, LOPE Y FERNANDEZ (best price 2-1) is easily the pick.

A red-hot favourite to win the Chesham at Royal Ascot, the son of Lope De Vega had the misfortune to bump into the mighty Pinatubo at the Berkshire venue and although he was backed again to gain his revenge at Goodwood last time out, he ended up getting a bigger beating. That said, on each occasion, the time figures have been off the scale by two-year-old standards, so he actually hasn’t run as bad as the losing margins have suggested. Although he’s dropping back down in trip to six-furlongs for the first time, he’s displayed enough pace in all three of his races to suggest it won’t be a problem and having swerved a clash against stable mate Armoury to come here instead, that decision should turn out to be the right one.

FRIDTJOF NANSEN (best price 10-1) had to wait seemingly forever to finally get off the mark, but such was his dominance of a similar large-field of handicappers over tonight’s course last time out, it would come as little surprise if he were to turn into the proverbial London Bus and win again.

Good enough to finish fourth here on debut behind the top-class Saxon Warrior when formerly with John Oxx, the son of Kyllachy had largely cut a figure of extreme frustration since, but it was noticeable that some of his better races in defeat were run over the same Co Kildare venue. With form figures of 43634 before shipping up at his happy hunting ground seven days ago– including a decent effort over an inadequate five-furlongs the time before – the four-year-old probably had a better chance of obliging than his 16-1 odds suggested and so it proved as he ran out a worthy winner. Poorly positioned towards the rear as the field went through halfway, it was just at that point when he started to pick up the bridle and by the time he’d worked his way to the front going well at the furlong pole, it was clear that he was going to win barring a miracle. Winning with more in hand that the official margin indicated, Kieran Cotter’s inmate arrives here with his confidence sky-high and in what is sure to be a well-run affair, he can hold his own against some of the more-established course regulars.

As you’d expect for the type of race and money on offer, a good collection of grizzled older handicappers facing some up-and-coming young talent and of those from each category, NUMERIAN (best price 15-2) and YUFTEN (best price 20-1) make the most appeal at the morning odds.

The former caught the eye with a power-packed finish when staying on from an uncompromising position in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot and, as a result, he ended up being an extremely warm order to vindicate the impression he created that day in the big mile contest on day-two of the Galway Festival last time. Although he ran perfectly well to finish on the heels of the main players in sixth, he left the impression that the sharp, undulating track was just too much for him to handle at this fledgling stage of his career and he would be much more at home back on an expansive galloping course.

The latter is easily one of the most exposed members of the elderly gang, but he should in no way be dismissed totally out of hand given the form he’s in at present. Yo-yoing between various trainers of late who have been keen to gain his services after landing claimers, the eight-year-old ran an extraordinary race for current connections at the Galway Festival last time out and a repeat of that level of performance would surely give him some sort of chance here tonight. Dropped out last by design from his wide, coffin-box draw, the son of Invincible Spirit had a mountain to climb as the field rounded the home turn, but putting in a power-packed finish down the wide outside, he fairly rattled home to snatch a creditable third on the line. Almost by accident, those over-exaggerated waiting tactics seemed to really suit him better than when he was forcefully-ridden over tonight’s C&D earlier in the campaign and providing Joey Sheridan is fairly liberal in the way he distributes his mount’s energy over the mile trip this evening, John Feane’s inmate has a decent chance of playing a leading role.

In hindsight, WHATHARM (best price 11-1) was probably asked to do too much too soon before getting collared in the closing stages here last time, but now dropping back down a furlong and racing on better ground, Pat Flynn’s improving gelding can be afforded another chance to continue his progress.

Sent to the front from a very early stage 14 days ago, the four-year-old pressed on with plenty of purpose and he looked as though he got his rivals at full stretch racing passed the intersection just over three out, but just when it looked likely he’d got the race in the bag, the effort he produced in the first few furlongs caught up with him close home. A good winner when making pretty much all the running at Gowran the time before, the scopey son of Canford Cliffs was seen to much better effect on good ground that day and with today’s low draw providing with a good opportunity to slide along over on that favoured far side, he looks booked for a prominent display.

BUZZ KILLINGTON (best price 9-1) is still a bit of an unknown quantity in many respects, but he’s at least shown enough ability in three starts to justify a small interest at a big price in a race very much up for grabs. Unsurprisingly outpaced twice over five-furlongs for a horse with a stout pedigree, Noel Meade’s gelding shaped well from a bad draw at Naas last time out over a furlong extra, but even so, he still looked as though he would be seen to better effect over further. Up to seven-furlongs here tonight, hopefully that will bring about further improvement and if he handles the ground (withdrawn on soft here last time), he can easily outrun his morning odds.

As Galeola has already proven several times over this season, Sheila Lavery is a dab hand at coaching improving three-year-olds up the ladder and ULTRA PRIDE (NAP) (best price 4-1) could well further highlight the skills of the Co Meath handler in this concluding amateur rider event.

Sometimes unsuited by the way races have developed in his first three outings of the season, the son of Thewayyouare seemed much more at home over today’s galloping track last time out and the way he went about his work in the closing stages of what turned out to be a well-run affair, pointed towards a horse capable of a step up in grade. Arriving there going extremely well three out, the three-year-old could have easily buckled once faced with the demands of the uphill climb to the line at the Co Kildare venue, but he kept on in willing fashion to keep the rest of the 23-strong field at bay. Although deservedly up in the ratings as a result of that smooth success, he shapes like the type who will be well suited by running in a better race and with the useful Helen Mooney in the plate (attached to the yard), Ultra Pride rates a clear choice at the morning odds.