Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Given that the conditions are likely to have deteriorated since yesterday’s the ability to handle plenty of ease underfoot is paramount and with TORPILLO (best price 6-4) fitting that criteria rather neatly, he rates the standout choice in this four-year-old contest.

A top-quality juvenile last season, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate was clearly in his element when the mud was flying as he proved with his two decisive victories at Sandown. Slightly disappointing on his last two starts, including here in the Fred Winter when he raced too freely, the son of Alanadi bounced back to something close to his best when bolting up first time out on his favoured soft ground at Chepstow two weeks ago and with fitness assured and hailing from a stable bang on the money at present, it’s difficult to see him not going well.

As subsequent events have told us, MEAN FOMHAIR (best price 4-1) had very little chance coping with Jumellea (creditable third in a Group 3 since) trying to give her the thick end of a stone and a half at Navan last time out, but it was a performance that very much suggested at least that she’s still heading in the right direction and off virtually the same mark on ground that will suit, she’s can deliver another knockout blow to the layers.

Extremely well-backed from 33-1 into 6-1 prior to shipping up at Roscommon back in September, the daughter of Fast Company never gave her supporters too many anxious moments as she travelled well in behind the speed before being unleashed with an unstoppable run down the outside over two-furlongs out and she full value for her four length victory. Sent off a warm order to follow up at Gowran next time, she had the misfortune to bump into a similarly well-treated type in the shape of Angel’s Amy, but she did, in turn, finish well enough clear of the rest to suggest she remains in top form and that was backed up with her performance at the Co Meath venue 17 days ago. Being a sister to Irish 1000 Guineas heroine, Jet Setting, it’s no surprise the lightly-raced four-year-old loves testing ground, and with the addition of the first-time tongue-tie a possible source of improvement, she rates a solid each-way proposition.

INSCRIBE (NAP) (best price 10-1) hasn’t exactly set the world alight so far this season, but there have been one or two glimpses of better times ahead and with today’s filthy conditions bound to suit him more than most, a punt is taken that he can bounce back to his best.

Undone by the way the race panned out at Listowel two starts ago, he did, however, stay on quite takingly in the latter stages to suggest he would have been more of a player if ridden a little closer to the speed set by eventual winner, Pearl Warrior. Dropped out in similar fashion at Dundalk last time out, Ger Lyons’ gelding once again shaped nicely from the back of the field and considering his poor draw and the trip being on the short side for him, he once again came out of the race with great credit. Back up to his optimum distance of 1m4f today, this dual heavy ground winner has everything in his favour to run huge here this afternoon and he should be played accordingly.

GEORDIESHORE (best price 7-2) was still in contention and going well enough to suggest he might have had a say in the outcome to a similar handicap hurdle over today’s C&D last time out and Gavin Cromwell’s inmate is worth a small interest to vindicate that view on his return visit.

Having his first run since leaving Zoe Davidson in the UK, the 11-year-old was given a really patient ride at Ballybrit 18 days ago and although the outcome was still in the balance when he capsized two out, the overriding impression is that he would have gone very close to rewarding new connections at the first hit. Although by no means prolific, it’s noticeable that both his two career wins have come on heavy ground, so with today’s conditions likely to suit him more than most, he has to be of significant interest in a race as bad at this one today.