Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

COPPER COIN (best price 11-2) unsurprisingly paid for setting a brutal gallop at Aintree on his seasonal reappearance, but providing he’s ridden a little more conservatively this time around, Michael Scudamore’s inmate has fighting chance of outrunning his odds.

Placed in point-to-points and bumpers, the son of Sulamani may have made a winning start to his hurdling career had he not stepped at the last and fallen on his only outing last season at Chepstow and that tumble must have left its mark as we didn’t see him on the track again until he shipped up at the Merseyside track recently. Off the back of a 362-day break the lightly-raced chestnut was given a real no holds barred ride by his pilot Richard Patrick, and although he hung tough out in front for most of the journey, the combination of the early exertions and his long layoff took its toll late on. That said, he still finished a respectable fourth behind three highly-regarded types, and with the third, Big Bad Bear, going on to boost the form at Wetherby last weekend, the six-year-old has enough ability to put up a bold show.

The mere fact MR GREY SKY (best price 11-4) makes his eagerly-awaited hurdle debut in a race bearing his yards’ name is a clear signal of intent and this extremely promising five-year-old is worthy of the highest attention.

Well-backed to make a winning debut in a bumper at Haydock, Kim Bailey’s gelding showed stamina and tenacity in equal measures by getting up in the latter stages to outstay the useful Ebony Jewel, and with the speed figure suggesting he’d run to a pretty high level first time off the bat, it was no surprise to see him a similarly warm order to follow up on his return visit later in the same month. Workmanlike rather than spectacular, the son of Fame And Glory duly got the job done and it was at that point that connections decided to draw stumps and protect their investment until he matured and grew into his frame. Said to have been going well at home of late, this chasing type may want an extra half a mile at the very least in time, but either way, he’s too good a prospect to let go completely unbacked at his surprisingly big morning price and he should be played accordingly.

SPEED COMPANY (NAP) (best price 9-2) created a favourable impression when making mincemeat of a useful field at Chepstow last time out and he’s fancied to continue his progression despite the assessor trying his best to intervene.

The son of Fast Company went to the Welsh venue off the back of a fairly lucrative period on the Flat and he didn’t waste any time putting his speed to good use as he cruised up to and quickened by two above-average types in the shape of Quoi De Nuif and Highest Sun. Looking at his final lap time and particularly his closing sectionals, they reveal he ran a good deal faster than the Silver Trophy winner Flash The Steel (four seconds better from three out), so it came as no surprise to see the runner-up, run so well and frank the form in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham next time. Since joining Ian Williams, it’s also noticeable that his form figures on all turf runs under both codes read 223330123221 and that general level of consistency looks set to continue in a race that should be run to suit.

KEN’S SAM’S (best price 9-1) doesn’t appear to be in the greatest of form at first glance, but a closer inspection reveals she’s actually run a good bit better than the bare form indicates and she’s worth a small each-way interest to repeat her last C&D victory back in January.

Coming from way off the pace to score tidily that day, the handicapper tightened his squeeze on Ado McGuiness’ mare even further when she added to that success over a furlong further three months later. Mainly campaigned over six furlongs since, her latest effort, however, came over seven and although she failed to trouble the judge, the way she kept on from the back of field suggested she’s not a million miles off returning to her best. A similar eye-catcher from a bad draw the time before the daughter Intense Focus has twice indicated that she could be ready for a return to more positive results and, with the likelihood of them going hard up front her tonight, her stamina should kick in late on in the piece.

Loaded was a good winner here two days ago and looks a worthy favourite on paper, but there is a slight nagging doubt that he requires a mile to be at his absolute best, so with that in mind, he’s passed over at the prices in favour of COUNT OF CARABASS (best price 10-1), who is a renown seven-furlong specialist.

An eye-catcher from a bad draw two starts ago, the eight-year-old surprisingly was allowed to go to post a 12-1 poke on his return visit 16 days ago and he duly made a nonsense of his starting price by scoring in tidy fashion. Moreover, his overall speed figure and finishing splits were the best on the eight-race card and when you compare his numbers that night up against the likes of Loaded, Alfirak and Tyrconnell, he has a better chance than his 12-1 quotes in the morning lists.