Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

YAFORDADOE (best price 14-1) will have to jump a good deal better than he did on his debut over today’s C&D last time out, but there’s no doubt he has a fair enough engine to make an impact in this sphere and he’s worth a sporting interest to see whether his handler has worked the oracle with his technique in the interim period.

Held up towards the rear here 35 days ago, a series of sloppy jumps down the back straight put Gavin Cromwell’s gelding on the back foot before halfway, but to his great credit, he somehow managed to work himself into an outside chance of hitting the frame until landing awkwardly and losing any chance of a podium finish at the last. Despite, therefore, a defeat of 29 lengths looking a modest return on paper, he actually ran a good deal better than his finishing position of seventh suggested and with the winner and third, going on to fight out the finish of Grade 2 juvenile contest at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, it puts even more into context what he achieved that day. Apart from Pasley, who’s yet to set the world alight in both his two starts to date either, the rest of the field look a bit of a motley crew and providing he does manage to get in to a better rhythm over the obstacles second time up, the son of Zebedee has a better than outside chance of adding to his two victories on the Flat.

NEW ARRIVAL (best price 5-2) created a favourable impression on her debut in a fair novice event at Kempton last month and with expected improvement to come, she’s highly likely to better her finishing position at the Surrey venue.

Drawn in double-digits, James Tate’s filly was immediately switched to race towards the rear of the field in the early stages and, as a result, she had plenty left to do as the pack turned for home, Staying on with plenty of gusto down the outside in the final three furlongs, the daughter of Gutaifan managed to get within hailing distance on the big two in the betting, leaving the distinction impression that she would be a totally different proposition next time out. Much better off with the draw here today, hopefully a decent break will see her lay handy before making her challenge at the business end.

Regular readers of this column are still probably receiving counselling following BURLESQUE QUEEN’s (NAP) (best price 5-2) last-gasp defeat here last time out, but being as her conqueror, Treacysenniscorthy, has gone on to advertise the form with a win in the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown over the weekend, the loss is a little more palatable and Liz Doyle’s mare deserves another chance to prove she still remains a well-handicapped horse.

In terrific heart of late, the daughter of Gold Well ran out a very easy scorer of Clonmel handicap hurdle a month ago and it looked for all the world as she was going to add to her winning tally over today’s C&D 23 days ago but for getting worried out the argument close home by a horse who clearly stays really well (allowed to drift on to the soup up the inside while the winner came wide on the better ground). The way she travelled throughout the contest, however, indicated a mare still right on top her game and providing today’s pilot, Sean O’Keeffe, can delay his challenge a little later this time around, there’s every chance she can make it third time lucky at the Co Kildare track.

PEMBERLEY (best price 9-2) scored in the style of a well-treated horse at Hereford last time out and with today’s step up in trip set to potentially bring about extra improvement, Emma Lavelle’s gelding makes plenty of appeal in a race short on progressive types.

Reportedly badly in need of his first outing of the season at Exeter after a 243-day break, the son of Darsi was extremely well-supported at the Midland venue three weeks later and the money proved to be spot on as he stayed on strongly to claim the spoils late on. Winning with his ears pricked, the lightly-raced six-year-old also posted a useful speed figure for the grade and, having being a late withdrawal from his intended target at Ascot before the break due to the bad ground, he can continue his fine run form for his stable on this slightly less demanding surface.