Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

ORDER OF THISTLE (best price 4-1) was a shade disappointing when he could only manage fourth at Sedgefield last time out, but as it’s turned out, the race in question has indicated Lucinda Russell’s gelding was up against opponents that were well above-average for the track and, as a result, he’s afforded another chance on ground and a course that should suit.

A winner of a bumper at the Borders venue on his return to action after a 229-day break, the four-year-old gelding was well-backed to make a successful start to his life over hurdles at Ayr next time out and although it wasn’t quite what connections’ would have hoped for, his effort in finishing fifth behind Corrieben Reiver still came out well on the figures. Up against the likes of subsequent winners Minella Trump and Masters Apprentice on his return to Sedgefield 25 days ago, it makes perfect sense why the son of High Chaparral failed to make an impact against two that posted a big speed figure for the track standards and with most of today’s main rivals having some sort of questions to ask, he can take advantage on ground that will suit better than his last two starts.

THEGREATESTSHOWMAN (best price 11-2) did well to overcome a terrible draw over today’s C&D two starts ago and following another creditable display at Wolverhampton last time out, Amy Murphy’s inmate rates a sporting choice to repeat the dose on his return visit to the Surrey venue.

Stall 10 of 10 here two weeks ago should have been enough to prevent the son of Equiano from scoring, but in coming from a long way off the pace, he overcame that impost in tenacious fashion. Upped two grades at the Dunstall Park venue last time out, the three-year-old gelding found himself in an uncompromising position turning for home and although he only made minimum inroads in the latter stages, it still wasn’t a bad effort in a race that was run at a furious gallop. Looking at today’s line-up, and a strong pace looks almost guaranteed and that should allow this deep-closer to come into the reckoning late on.

THREE LITTLE BIRDS (NAP) (best price 4-1) never had any sort of chance to be competitive at Wolverhampton due to a poor draw that resulted in a retched track position, but that shouldn’t turn out to be the case here this afternoon from stall two and she’s fancied to erase those bad memories in this much weaker affair.

Because of the gallop that was set at the Dunstall Park venue six days ago, Sylvester Kirk’s filly was always in the rear having being dropped out last, but at least she made some sort of inroads at the backend of the contest to suggest she still remains in good form. Moreover, she now returns to a venue where her figures read 2213 and, providing she hits the gates and works herself into a decent early pose, the daughter of Dandy Man can add to those impressive stats.