Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

TEA TIME ON MARS (best price 7-2) in plain and simple terms wasn’t in the same class as many of his rivals at Chepstow on chasing debut, but at the same time, he wasn’t totally disgraced and he’s fancied to figure more prominently in today’s much calmer waters.

Always seen as a chaser, Sue Gardner’s gelding at least rounded off his hurdling session with a victory at Wincanton and he carried forward a handicap mark of just 108 into that contest at the Welsh venue up against horses such as Truckers Lodge and Finawn Dawn, who were rated a good 30lb higher and have aspirations for much bigger targets further down the line. The son of Schiaparelli did, however, manage to stay in touch with the leading players until a jolting blunder four out ended any hope of an upset and in the end he had to settle for a well-beaten sixth. That said, he only finished just behind Copperhead, who has gone on to land a competitive handicap off a mark of 125, so with today’s contest more realistic in terms of pure class, the seven-year-old should be able to make his presence felt.

It took a little while for LOVING GLANCE (NAP) (best price 3-1) to get off the mark, but now she has finally mastered her craft, she’s fancied to go on the rampage and today’s contest looks well within her compass based on the speed figure she posted here when scoring 14 days ago.

Although it was only a weak-looking novice event beforehand, they went a good clip at the Dunstall park venue and, after settling well just in behind the pace, Martyn Meade’s filly always appeared in control of matters. Once asked for her effort rounding the home turn, the daughter of Invincible Spirit quickened smartly to pull well clear of her rivals and with her sectionals from four and two out only bettered by the five-furlong sprint handicap winner, Rocket Action, she spelt out clear and positive times for bigger and better prizes ahead. With tonight’s line-up littered with strong, forward-going types, the race should be run at a gallop to suit her high cruising speed and if she gets the breaks at the right time, the improving three-year-old can prove her opening handicap mark of 79 is a tad on the lenient side.