Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

ORDER OF THITSLE (best price 9-4) could never quite make any impact on his first try over hurdles at Ayr last time out, but as that contest was a deep one and he’s bound to come on for the initial experience, Lucinda Russell’s gelding is afforded another chance.

Held up off what turned out to be a true run race at the Scottish venue, the son of High Chaparral could have been a bit slicker over his hurdles at times and, as a result, he got left behind as the relentless tempo was maintained all the way to the line. He did, however, keep on well enough late on to suggest with more practice he can be a more potent force and having already proven that today’s track suits with a victory in a bumper here on his seasonal reappearance, the four-year-old can take high rank with a better round of jumping.

BURLESQUE QUEEN (best price 7-1) probably bumped into a well handicapped horse in the shape of Premier D’Troice at Punchestown last time out and she’s fancied to regain the winning thread back at the scene of her previous success.

Good on the figures when accounting for subsequent winner Something Sweet over the C&D a month ago, the daughter of Gold Well went to the Co Kildare venue with plenty of confidence behind her and although she couldn’t quite manage to justify her position in the market, she did nothing wrong in finishing an honourable second. Indeed, the numbers posted by the winner in comparison to the 135-rated Coko Beach suggested the front pair had run way beyond their respective handicap marks and with her marginally higher rating meaning that she gets another chance to race against a similar standard of opponent, Liz Doyle’s mare will hopefully take full advantage.

WILDE SPIRIT (best price 11-2) ran with a great amount of encouragement on his first start for new connections here last time out and with today’s extra distance likely to induce even more improvement, Henry Daly’s inmate is fancied to strike for his locally-based owners.

Previously with Lan King, the daughter of Oscar was strongly-supported to make a winning debut from his new base 21 days ago and if it wasn’t for the well-handicapped Karakoram, she would have landed the punt with a degree of comfort. Keeping on well for pressure late on, the five-year-old gave out the sort of signals to suggest that she would be more at ease over further and with her lady amateur pilot seen to good effect of late on board the likes of Gamesters Icon on the Flat and Don Juan Du Gouet over jumps, the combination should gel nicely for maximum results.