Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

Not a bad novice hurdle to kick off the card and WINTER GETAWAY (best price 3-1) makes quite a bit of appeal on hurdles debut.

A former dual point winner, the daughter of Getaway made a pleasing start to her life under rules when a creditable third in a bumper at Fontwell and with the numbers suggesting it wasn’t a bad heat at the Sussex track, she ran better than the bare result indicates. A little one paced late on, today’s contest should have more emphasis on stamina due to the soft underfoot conditions and her mares allowance and handy accompaniment, she’s fancied to press home the advantage with a decent round of jumping.

PREENING (best price 5-1) was given too much to do in the Sceptre Stakes when last seen at Doncaster, but with a good break from her decent draw this afternoon, hopefully she can make amends in this similar contest.

Normally a hold-up horse, it was, therefore, no surprise to see James Fanshawe’s filly a good way off the pace on Town Moor 48 days ago, but on a day when it paid to be handier than usual at the track, she couldn’t quite peg back Breathtaking Look, who’d obtained first run. She did, however, finish off her race best of all and having gone really well on her only two previous starts on an all-weather surface, hope is high that she can hit the frame at the very least.

On a card where Charlie Longsdon sponsors the main race, all his runners at the Midland venue have to be worth more than a second look and of his three participants, SHANROE IN MILAN (best price 13-2) may prove to be the pick.

Although he’s only recorded one victory in 15 starts, the son of Milan has shown on more than one occasion that he’s got more ability than his winning tally suggests and he has a decent chance to prove that theory correct today. Sure to be all the better for his seasonal comeback when he ran well against several useful types at Worcester (Dolphin Square franked form since), the seven-year-old, who often travels well in races, can be a potent force in a race of this nature with a clean round of jumping.

MOHAREB (NAP) (best price 15-8) made the heavily-backed favourite The Met pull out all the stops at Wolverhampton last time out and a repeat of that level of performance should see Michael Appleby’s gelding go close to shedding his maiden tag.

Setting a strong gallop from the start, the son of Delegator looked to have his sexier rival in big trouble with over two to run and although he kept on valiantly all the way to the line, he just didn’t have the requisite quality to fend off a horse who looks sure to go on to better things. That said, he still pulled well clear of the rest and with the time figure suggesting it was a fair heat, the three-year-old is likely to take some pegging back if given a similarly aggressive ride over this shorter trip.