Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

Some fairly exposed sorts in this modest nursery and it looks a decent opportunity for MUSIC THERAPIST (best price 15-8) to make his mark off what appears a workable opening handicap rating of 71.

Promising on his first two starts, George Scoot’s charge was sent to Chelmsford for his latest outing and despite being pitched in against some useful juveniles, he came out of the contest with great credit. Although unable to live with the winner, Fuwayrit, who clocked the best final three-furlong sectional on the card, the son of Zebedee still managed to finish ahead of the 91-rated Emten, and with Jamie Osbourne’s colt going on to only get beat four lengths by A’Ali in a Group 2 at Doncaster last week, it just shows you what level he ran to at the Essex venue. Up to now, he’s just been a little restless in the stalls, so he could do with probably going in last, but providing all’s well in that department and he breaks on terms, he should have enough quality in relation to today’s field to get the job done on nursery debut.

PERSIA (best price 5-2) didn’t exactly set the world alight on his debut at the Curragh, but he did more than enough to suggest he’s by no means a lost cause and it would come as little surprise to see him take a huge leap forward following that initial experience.

Held up towards the rear at the Co Kildare venue by virtue of his poor wide draw, the son of Galileo found himself with plenty on his plate with three furlongs to run, although he didn’t exactly scream home in the closing stages, it was noticeable that his steady run up the inside was checked at several points. Finishing off his race quite promisingly, Aidan O’Brien’s colt went through the line strongly suggesting he would know more next time and even though he’s been no favours by the draw this evening, at least he’ll get a clear run around the outside, which will help his long stride no end.

Without wanting to sound really cruel, Jan De Heem isn’t the kind of horse to have maximum faith in, particularly at a short price, and he’s readily passed over in favour of the less-exposed THE FIDDLER (NAP) (best price 7-4). An eye-catcher at Nottingham two starts ago, the son of Big Bad Bob was well-backed to back up the impression he created that day when shipping up over today’s C&D last time out and under a confident ride by Paul Hanagan, he duly delivered the goods. Picking up the running going well two out, Chris Wall’s inmate impressed by the way he quickened before powering his way to the line and with the time figure he posted extremely good for the grade, it would be disappointing if he couldn’t defy just a 5lb hike back at the scene of that ground-breaking triumph.

SEVERUS ALEXANDER (best price 3-1) got his just rewards for a couple of previous near misses when scoring in tidy fashion at Listowel last week and with connections clearly striving to strike while the iron is hot, Joseph O’Brien’s improving three-year-old rates a strong choice to justify the relatively quick turnaround.

Runner-up to a couple of similarly progressive types at Killarney and Down Royal previously, the son of Zoffany carried quite a bit of confidence behind him that he could make it eighth time lucky at the Co Kerry venue and having travelled pretty nicely throughout, he stayed on strongly in the closing stages to justify his position in the market. Clearly well suited by a well-run affair on soft ground, today’s examination should prove ideal and it has to be said, he doesn’t look a bad price in the morning lists considering how much he has in his favour.

KENTUCKYCONNECTION (best price 9-1) has been riddled with bad luck in recent times and he simply has to be given another chance to show what he’s worth back at a track where most of his better performances have taken place.

Since winning here back May, Bryan Smart’s gelding has received a catalogue of disasters such as a poor track position against the bias at Carlisle, disadvantageous draws at Pontefract and Beverley, but it was his latest effort over today’s course which really takes the biscuit. Well backed to take care of a similar field to the one he faces this evening, the son of Include appeared to be going as well as anything heading down with two furlongs to run, but unfortunately, he ended up running down a blind alley and he literally came home on the bridle not knowing he’d had a race. Where he’d have finished is pure guesswork, but given the way he way travelling, you’d be hard pressed to say he wouldn’t have played some sort of role, so based on that theory, he makes plenty of appeal at his top morning odds off the same mark on his return visit.