Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

MORNING SPIRIT (best price 20-1) didn’t run at all badly in the hottest two-mile novice hurdle run so far this season over today’s C&D and providing he is capable of running to somewhere near the same standard on his return visit, Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding can make a mockery of his morning odds.

A promising third on his debut in a useful bumper at Fontwell a month ago, the four-year-old wasn’t expected to cut much ice on his first start over hurdles here three weeks later (sent off 40-1), but despite getting beaten a fair way in seventh, he still ran up to a very high level based on the speed figures. Not able to go with the main players after an awkward jump three out, the son of Milan kept on at the one pace from that juncture to produce a creditable return up against horses that are bound to be contesting Grade 1 company before the season ends and, if you take away the highly promising Shishkin away from the equation, he has every chance of competing on level terms with the rest.

NOTACHANCE (best price 3-1) clocked a fair speed figure when winning on his second start over fences at Exeter last time out and today’s examination looks tailor made for him to once again show off his skills.

Narrowly denied victory on his chase debut at Southwell back in October, Alan King’s gelding was pitched in to a deep novices’ handicap at the West Country venue but, having travelled and jumped well throughout, he claimed the spoils despite threatening to throw away the prize by idling on the run-in. Of those vanquished that day, it was nice to see the well-beaten fourth, Cloudy Glen run so well at Carlisle on Sunday and give the form a timely boost and with today’s galloping track likely to play into the strengths of the son of Mahler, he’s fancied to duplicate his success over hurdles here last season.

LAPILLI (best price 10-1) ran better than his finishing position suggested in a much tougher race that the one he faces this evening last time out and a repeat will surely see him outrun his double-figure quotes.

A massive eye-catcher the time before over six-furlongs on his first outing for new connections, Damian English’s inmate was dropped back to his optimum distance last time out and he once again shaped with a fair degree of promise. Held up in behind the speed going well at halfway, the six-year-old failed to get the clearest of runs at a crucial stage, but once out in the open just over a furlong out, he came home with enough purpose to suggest he may have well been some sort of player with a better rub of the green. Finishing hard on the coat tails of the likes of the in-form pair Nigg Bay and Arcanears, the son of Bahamian Bounty gave out enough positive signals for him to be a huge consideration on his return trip here tonight.

COUNT OF CARABASS (best price 6-1) has been in tremendous form of late and it makes sense to stay loyal to Hilary McLoughlin’s gelding until told otherwise. An eye-catcher on his return to the all-weather action over today’s C&D back in October, the eight-year-old has reeled off two straight wins since and, with both coming attached to big speed figures for the grade, the handicapper may not have caught up with him just yet. Indeed, the latest of those two successes was achieved despite the son of Ad Valorem racing wide throughout and, with a much better draw this evening, the hat trick rates a distinct possibility with anything like a clear passage.