Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

THE RUBINATOR (best price 11-2) has to be rated an unlucky loser at Listowel last time out and he’s fancied to make amends in this similar contest 18 days on.

A tidy winner on his final start for Peter Croke at Wexford back in June, the Gold Well gelding was fancied in many quarters to make a bright start for new connections at the Harvest Festival despite a 97-day layoff, and having travelled best throughout it looked like he was going to deliver the goods. Unfortunately, Ross O’Sullivan’s inmate tipped up when holding a narrow lead at the last hurdle, but providing he’s suffered no mental scars from that untimely tumble, he’s expected to figure prominently again under ideal conditions.

Typically trappy fare with many of the usual suspects facing the starter, and of the 21-strong field, VERHOYEN (best price 15-2) and FRIDTJOF NANSEN (best price 12-1) make the most appeal.

The former has really clicked into gear of late and with most of his best performances coming at the Co Kildare venue, it makes sense to keep him on side for the time being. A gutsy winner over a similar-sized field here back in May, that victory has been supplemented by a fine fourth over seven-furlongs and another success back at the same track last time out – form which has been boosted by the likes of Buffer Zone and Gustavus Weston. A late defector here at the last meeting due to unsuitable ground, today’s easier conditions will suit and providing the nearside rail doesn’t prove to be an inconvenience, Michael Grassick’s four-year-old should be on the scene once again.

The latter has also racked up a series of fine performances of late and with his latest effort at Dundalk proving that he’s just as effective over the minimum trip, confidence is high that Kieren Cotter’s gelding will turn in another solid display. A winner at the Co Kildare venue over the extended six-furlong distance here back in August, the son of Kyllachy was hugely unlucky not to follow up on his next visit when not getting the clearest of runs through in the latter stages and with most of today’s big players all congregated towards the stands’ side fence, at least he’ll be in and around where the likely pace should be generated (drawn 21 of 21).

Richard Hannon seems to have a very powerful team of juveniles at his disposal this season and in the shape of MUMS TIPPLE (best price 5-2) and THREAT (best price 10-1) the East Everleigh handler has two very strong cards to play in what looks one of the best two-year-old races run so far this campaign.

The former could only be described as workmanlike when winning at debut at Ascot, but what followed at York was – Pintatubo aside – one of the most breath-taking performances produced by a youngster for many a year. Setting off at a good clip on the Knavesmire, the son of Footstepsinthesand travelled well within himself down to halfway, but from that point onwards he really turned on the swagger. Lengthening all the way to the line, this powerfully-built colt just kept pulling further and further clear and by the time he’d hit the line, he’d opened up an incredible 11 length advantage. Now not for one moment are we saying those in behind are potential top-notchers, but there were a good majority who’d already dipped their toe into pattern company, so to completely dismiss them the way he did is a testimony to his natural talent. Moreover, the speed figure was off the charts and with connections sensibly sticking to the six-furlong trip for the time being and playing into his strengths, Mums Tipple will certainly be pushing this star-assembled field through the pain barrier if he goes the kind of gallop he did 37 days ago.

The latter wouldn’t be as flashy as his more vaunted stable mate, but has the profile of being a thorough professional and should some of the big guns come unstuck, the supposed Hannon second string could be good enough to take advantage. Slightly unlucky in both the Coventry at Royal Ascot and Richmond at Goodwood, the chestnut colt has earned his stripes with wins at York and Doncaster since and although his latest success didn’t exactly knock your eyes out, one got the impression he was just saving a bit for himself once he’d hit the front. The way he cruises through his races lends itself to thinking that dropping back in trip shouldn’t pose a problem at this stage of his career and it would come as no surprise to see this likeable and honest type punch heavily above his weight.

MASSA LUBRENSE (best price 14-1) found a smart turn of foot when scoring over today’s course last time out and even though today’s contest represents a whole new ball game in terms of quality opposition, he’s fancied to more than hold his own over a track that clearly plays into his strengths.

Towards the rear with plenty to do at halfway at the Co Kildare track 29 days ago, the son of Intense Focus began to make his move as the field went passed the two-furlong pole and within a very short space of time, he’d engulfed his rivals to score going away. Numbers-wise, his final three furlong split stacked up as well as his overall time figure, and with the form already boosted by the likes of runner-up, Cyrus Dallin and fourth-placed Munaajaat, John Geoghegan’s gelding has a decent chance of continuing the trend in the hands of crack apprentice Paddy Harnett, who’s full value for his 7lb claim.

We are not sure how much of an advantage DEFINITELYANOSCAR (best price 12-1) had over the well-handicapped Empreinte Reconce as she failed to draw the correct weight after scoring at Newton Abbot last time out, but the main thing know is that Harry Fry’s mare seemed to suffer no ill effects after a recent wind-op and that knowledge gives plenty of confidence going forward into today’s contest. Having travelled well at the Devon venue, the daughter of Oscar found a nice turn of foot to beat her main market rival with a bit up her sleeve and although that victory was subsequently tainted due to her disqualification, at least she technically arrives here a winner without a penalty. Having scored over today’s venue in a bumper back in 2018, we also know that she handles the track and with the rain falling in the last 24 hours seen as a plus too, the six-year-old ticks quite a few boxes.

Wide-open looking fillies’ nursery in which cases can be made for most, but the two that make the most appeal are the pair that tie in nicely with Graceful Magic, SPECIAL SECRET (best price 16-1) and CASPIAN QUEEN (best price 12-1).

The former was heavily involved in the race won by her stable mate at Doncaster last time out and she left the impression she may have won that day had she received a better rub of the green. Held up towards the nearside rail, the daughter of just got checked in her run at a crucial stage inside the final two furlongs and although she picked up nicely in the closing stages to capture a slice of the pie, she didn’t have enough real estate left to catch the first three home. That said, the form has an extra sheen on it thanks to the exploits of runner-up Stylistique in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket yesterday and with today’s extra yardage and stiffer track threatening to bring about even more improvement from Eve Johnson Houghton’s filly, her morning odds of 16-1 are verging on crazy.

The latter not only managed to get the better of subsequent Graceful Magic at Goodwood last time out, but Rose Of Kildare has also scored since, so it makes perfect sense to keep Richard Hughes’ filly on side. Having missed the Doncaster race and saved especially for today’s heat, the big, scopey daughter of Sepoy – who connections believe will stay seven furlongs well – arrives here with better prospects than her morning odds imply also.

MALLACOOTA (best price 12-1) comes out of race at Down Royal which has worked out a treat since, so she has to be worth a small shy at the stumps despite a slight question mark about the strength of her inexperienced pilot (just had the one ride in public).

Having run well in the first-time pieces at the same track the time before, Jessica Harrington’s filly once again covered herself with glory back at the Co Down venue a month later, and if it wasn’t for almost getting totally wiped out rounding the home bend, she may have had the winner’s garland around her neck. Unable to recover in time, she did run on well after the interference to suggest there’s races to be won further down the line, and with the winner and runner-up both going on to score since, she should be capable of going close here off a 1lb lower mark under similar conditions.