Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

ATTENTION SEAKER (best price 9-2) proved a revelation here last week with a victory of some poise and authority and even though she drops down slightly in trip, she still fancied to give another good account. Fit after a busy campaign on the Flat, Tim Easterby’s mare thrived on the pace that was set here seven days ago and after picking up the running going well two out, she readily pulled clear to win as she liked. Clearly at home over this stiff track with plenty of ease underfoot, the daughter of Bollin Eric can continue the magnificent run of the stable.

KARAKORAM (best price 13-2) has yet to win a race under either code but he’s shown enough ability at times to suggest he can break that hoodoo sooner rather than later and following an encouraging run over today’s C&D last time out, it wouldn’t come as the biggest surprise in the world if he today was his day.

Having his first outing of the season off the back of a 186-day break, Grace Harris’ gelding loomed up going well on the home turn to hold every chance approaching three out, but no sooner had he hit the front looking the likeliest winner, the combination of lack of a recent outing and having made up a good deal of ground in the hottest part of the race took its toll late on. That said, he still plugged away to finish a creditable third behind two race-fit rivals and providing his challenge can be delayed a little longer on this occasion, the four-year-old has a squeak of supplying his in-form handler with another winner (4 winners in her last 16 runners).

SWINLEY (NAP) (best price 6-4) was heavily involved in a very well-run affair here six days ago and with tonight’s contest no stronger in terms of quality, in-form opponents, Richard Hughes’ inmate has a big opportunity to finally get off the mark.

Having run well on his all-weather debut previously at Kempton, hope was high that the son of Dragon Pulse could improve on that third place finish and so it proved, as he posted an honourable runner-up spot behind the deep-closing Get Boosting. Fairing best of those who raced up with the hectic early pace, it was also noticeable that he was forced to race wide around the entire home bend, so if anything, his performance deserves hugely upgrading. Better drawn on his return visit, this consistent sort will be hard to beat if running to the same level.