Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

REDFORD ROAD (best price 3-1) built nicely on his initial success in a bumper at Warwick with a thoroughly convincing display on hurdles debut at Wetherby last time out and he’s fancied to make things uncomfortable for backers of the favourite, Valtor.

Looking likely to come out second best up against the strong-traveling favourite, Shan Blue, at the Yorkshire venue, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate impressed by the way he knuckled down to the task at hand from two out to get the better of his highly-regarded rival, and that tenaciousness is a trait that will stand him in good stead for tougher ventures further down the line. Likely to benefit even more for today’s step up in trip, a positive ride can yield maximum results.

The mere fact that second favourite, Jim ‘N’ Tomic, has only beaten one horse home in his last three starts (12/12, 8/8 and 15/16) tells you how bad this race is, so having shown a glimmer of promise in a red-hot novice event at Chelmsford last time out, RAINS OF CASTAMERE (best price 11-2) has to be worth a small interest in what has to be considered a massive step down in grade.

Well beaten on his debut at Brighton, Mick Channon’s gelding was understandably an unconsidered 33-1 chance at the Surrey venue next time out and even though his end product lived up to his huge price tag, he did show more than enough to suggest he’s not quite a lost cause. Racing freely in what turned out to be an extremely strong run affair, the son of Harbour Watch’s lack of quality came to the fore in the latter stages, but considering he was up against horses, such as the winner and likely Group-race performer for next year, Ottoman Court, and runner-up and subsequent scorer, King Ragnar, and his task up trying to keep up those above-average juveniles is put into some sort of context. Providing he settles better today and gives himself some sort of chance of seeing out the trip, Rains Of Castamere surely has a stronger chance than his morning odds imply.

FLASH THE STEEL (best price 12-1), a game winner of the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month, is worth a small interest at morning current odds to see whether he can improve again for another step up in trip in this similarly competitive affair.

Campaigned almost exclusively over two-miles to good effect last season, Dan Skelton’s improving handicapper had the look of a horse who could do even better over further and so it proved as he stayed on best of all following a strong pace at the Welsh venue to score with something up his sleeve. Unsurprisingly given the numbers the race produced, the form has worked out well with the likes of Champagne Court, Imperial Aura and Zanza all winning subsequently and, with his high-cruising speed one of the main reasons why he prevailed that day, that component is always likely to keep him involved in most races he contests.

Having won a point-to-point on just his second start as a five-year-old, there is enough reason to believe he will get the trip around today’s relatively sharp track and, hailing from a yard that continues to fire on all cylinders, the seven-year-old is worth a small roll of the dice.

CYCLOP (best price 11-2) seemed to appreciate the respite from jumping fences when back over hurdles at Chepstow last time out and in what appears on paper a much easier task than the one he faced 25 days ago, David Dennis’ inmate can go well at rewarding odds.

Having run poorly on four straight races over fences, it seemed the logical step to give the son of King’s Theatre a confidence booster on his seasonal reappearance and that decision turned out to be an inspired choice as he ran way beyond expectations (sent off at 33-1) in what turned out to be a red-hot handicap for the grade. Although the eight-year-old was ultimately outpaced from two out (jumped slowly), he did keep on creditably to finish a respectable fifth and with the second and third both going onto advertise the form since, it puts into context what the he achieved off the back of a 206-day break. A proper dyed-in-the-wool stayer, it’s also worth pointing out that his three previous visits to today’s venue have yielded form figures of 312 and with rain forecast for this afternoon, he should end up being in his element under optimum conditions.

KID COMMANDO (NAP) (best price 2-1) impressed in all departments when running away with a decent bumper at Fontwell and he’s strongly fancied to rubber-stamp his upwardly-mobile profile.

An impressive winner of a point-to-point for previous connections, Anthony Honeyball’s gelding was well-backed to make a winning rules debut at the Sussex venue and he didn’t disappoint with a performance of some merit. Setting out to make all the running, the son of Robin Des Champ kept winding up the pace on the last circuit in unrelenting fashion and the pace he showed proved far too tough for the rest to handle as he ran out an impressive 18 length winner. Indeed, his overall time figure and final lap sectionals pointed towards this five-year-old as an above-average performer with an extremely good engine and with another positive ride this afternoon likely to be on the cards, it will take a decent horse to lower his colours if he’s in the same mood.

TRIPLE SPEAR (best price 12-1) has run a good bit better than his form figures suggest on his last two starts and he’s fancied to take advantage of a fairly lenient mark on handicap debut.

The son of Showcasing first indicated there could be brighter times ahead when running on nicely from the back of the field at Beverley on just his second start and he followed that up with another encouraging effort at Nottingham last time out. Although he ultimately faded back into fourth after racing prominently at the Midland track, he got undone by being stuck out on the wing as the field tacked over towards the nearside rail, so his performance probably deserves upgrading. Racing on a surface this evening that should suit given his pedigree, Mick Appleby’s inmate makes plenty of each-way appeal at his morning odds.