Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

A decent rated novice contest in prospect with several unexposed types catching the eye, none more so than ANYTHING WILL DO (best price 4-1) and he receives a solid vote of confidence to go well despite lacking in experience.

Relatively unfancied on his debut at Listowel (sent off 16-1), Joseph O’Brien’s gelding always looked like he was travelling better than his odds suggested and having picked up the running going well down to the last, he scampered clear on the run-in to score in comfortable fashion. Figures-wise, the overall number posted by the son of Westerner was certainly not too shabby for a horse having his first career start and then if you take into account the performances of those vanquished that day such as Dime A Dozen (second yesterday), Whatucallher (won at Clonmel) and Likeable Chancer (fourth at Gowran), the effort deserves extra merit. Although he handled the yielding ground well enough at the Kerry venue, today’s softer ground and stiff track will make it a sterner test, but providing he can cope with the prevailing conditions, he certainly has enough quality to make an impact in this race and many more going forward.

Of the rest, PAKENS ROCK (best price 7-1) does have proven form under these conditions over the C&D, so for that reason, he has to be worth a small saver just in case the wheels fall off the main selection.

A disappointing favourite on his two previous starts, Barry Murphy’s charge was dropped back to the minimum trip in order to revive his fortunes and that decision was quickly rewarded by him making pretty much all of the running here 22 days ago. Despite racing fairly keenly throughout, he still had enough left in the locker to repel several challengers late on and with testing ground likely to be very much the order of the day again, the son of Central Park has better prospects than his morning odds imply.

With just the three runners, this could easily get a messy tactical affair, but at least Habub has made the running before and that should ensure the pace is decent enough for the strong stayer at the trip, AMBASSADORIAL (best price 9-4). Previously smart on the all-weather for Michael Halford in Ireland, the son of Elusive Quality has taken well to life in his new surrounding based on his five starts from his new base and, just as importantly, he appears totally home on the surface at today’s Essex track. A winner on his first start here back in June, the five-year-old ran even better in defeat based on the figures when third to Yattwee two months later and a repeat of that level of form should see him go close to adding another notable victory onto his CV.