Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

VIENNA COURT (NAP) (best price 7-2) clearly faced two above-average novices at Bangor last time out, but she did more than enough to make her a more viable proposition back in handicap company off what appears an attractive mark.

A game winner over two subsequent winners at Ffos Las on her hurdling debut, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate found the tougher company on quicker ground a bridge too far over today’s C&D next time out, but that slightly below par effort was cast aside with her performance a month ago. Back on testing ground, the daughter of Mahler kept on well behind two geldings who have both gone to advertise the form in spectacular fashion since and off a reasonable opening handicap mark of 122, she looks booked for another bold show with conditions to suit.

The race won by THE JAM MAN (best price 8-1) was noted for its extremely fast last circuit at Navan last time out and both he and runner-up that day, TOUT EST PERMIS, (best price 6-1) are taken against the field.

In hindsight, the former was allowed to be sent off a crazy price at the Co Meath venue considering he arrived there on the back of a hat trick, and even his odds this afternoon still suggest bookmakers aren’t truly paid-up members of his achievements. Their lack of belief, however, could well turn out to be misplaced as Ronan McNally’s gelding managed to run much quicker sectionals than the other three hurdle races on the same card 21 days ago and even a further raise in the ratings still might not be a true reflection of his ability. Indeed, connections were considering an audacious crack at Paisley Park and Co in the Grade 1 Marsh Hurdle at Ascot recently and even though that might have been stretching their ambitions a little too far, it wouldn’t come as the biggest surprise in the world if this rapidly-improving son of Papal Bull were to detach himself from handicap company further down the line.

The latter was a heavily-backed favourite to take advantage of a 34lb lower hurdles mark compared to his chase rating in that aforementioned heat and although he came up a little short on the day, the figures clearly show he did absolutely nothing wrong. Still seemingly well-treated even after being hit for finishing second, Noel Meade’s inmate has to be worth another chance to see whether he can go close to booking his ticket for the final of this event at the Cheltenham festival in March.

Connections were toying with the idea of running SEVERANO (best price 5-1) in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle following his C&D success last time out, so the fact that they’ve shelved that project in favour of exploiting what appears to be a favourable handicap mark is a hint should be taken.

Constantly finding two miles too short, Oliver Sherwood’s gelding finally came of age when asked to race over further at Chepstow two starts ago and the same results were realised over today’s C&D last time out. Extremely strong in the latter part of a race run at a sound gallop, the son of Shantou lowered the colours of two highly-regarded novices in the process and he rates a decent bet to complete the hat trick back over a course that clearly plays into his strengths.

BYTHESAMETOKEN (best price 15-2) and ENCORE LUI (best price 13-2) dominated the landscape of a similar contest at Navan last time out, so it makes sense to stay loyal to the pair who still could conceivably have quite a bit in hand over the assessor.

The former had cut a rather frustrating figure until delivering the goods at the Co Meath venue, but the addition of a first-time tongue-tie helped Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding finally realise his potential. The way he stayed on in the closing stages compared to some of his other finishing efforts may have raised a few eyebrows, but in checking his final lap time against the likes of Fury Road and Thatsy on the same card and finding out he’d easily beaten those two quality performers to the tune of three seconds clearly indicates there was no fluke about his achievements.

Although beaten fair and square on the day, the latter might be capable of a little better than he showed that day and he appeals as the chief beneficiary if the wheels come off the main selection. Prior to that sound effort last time, Liz Doyle’s inmate had finished ahead of three subsequent winners in another hot race at the same track and if you concentrate on that form alone, his odds of 13-2 look extremely tempting from an each-way perspective.

MASTERS APPRENTICE (best price 10-3) took an age to hit top gear before going on to score tidily at Sedgefield last time out and with today’s long home straight likely to help significantly in that department, Mark Walford’s gelding can continue his progression.

Runner-up to subsequent winner Minella Trump in a very fast time figure over the same C&D the time before (third also won since), the son of Mastercraftsman was quite rightly all the rage to justify that effort back at the Durham venue next time and although he eventually delivered the goods, it wasn’t all plain sailing. That said, he once again proved that stamina over the trip is clearly his strong point and with today’s track likely to place an even bigger emphasis on stamina, the improving four-year-old can take care of the other previous winner Little Rory Mac.