Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

CAP DU NORD (best price 11-1) has yet to get his head in front so far this term, but his last two performances suggest he’s been running as well as ever despite not necessarily troubling the judge and with today’s contest representing a slight ease in grade, the seven-year-old can provide his in-form handler with another notable success.

Badly in need of his first outing of the season, the Voix Du Nord gelding has improved significantly in two starts since and following a tremendous effort when fifth in a red hot handicap at Newbury previously, he once again ran way beyond expectations at Ascot last time out. In a race loaded with improving handicappers, Christian Williams’ inmate stuck to his task manfully until the very testing ground at the Berkshire venue took its toll late om, but even getting beaten 11 lengths behind the likes of Espoir De Guye and First Flow still represents a fair effort in the context of today’s contest. With today’s chase course likely to ride a good deal better than the hurdle track, conditions shouldn’t be too bad for him this time around and he looks to have a much better chance than his morning odds imply.

ESCARIA TEN (NAP) (best price 13-8) has changed ownership since last seen, but those shrewd connections looked to have acquired a very smart staying prospect and he can prove he was money well spent with an instant return on their investment in this three-mile novice event.

A former point winner, Gordon Elliot’s gelding made a pleasing start to his career under rules with a fine effort in a Tipperary bumper, but he was always going to be seen to better effect over obstacles so it was no surprise to see him quickly sent over hurdles. Making his debut in a fair maiden at Fairyhouse two months ago, the son of Maresca Sorrento loomed large as a likely winner turning for home, but in the end he just got found out by two well above-average types from the back of the last. Indeed, the time figure revealed the first two home both posted extremely good overall figures for the race type and with the runner-up, Monkfish, along with fourth and fifth home both winning easily since, the form looks extremely strong. A proper staying chaser in the making, this strapping six-year-old should find today’s test right up his street.

At the time, SAM’S ADVENTURE (best price 10-3) appeared to throw away what looked a gilt-edged opportunity here last time out having travelled the best throughout, but given the subsequent exploits of his conqueror that day, Lord Du Mesnil, it’s easy to afford Brian Ellison’s inmate another chance back at the scene of that excellent effort.

An eye-catching fourth in red-hot novice event at Carlisle on chasing debut (first, second third and seventh all won since), it came as no surprise, therefore, to see the eight-year-old to continue that strong piece of form on his latest outing and although he didn’t quite land the gamble, he did precious little wrong. Jumping soundly throughout, the son of Black Sam Bellamy made the very game winner pull out all the stops and having once again proved that this stiff track very much suits his run style (won here over hurdles), it would come as a surprise if he wasn’t battling for top honours.

Two of the best two-mile novice hurdle form lines clash in this Grade 1 contest when FIDDLERONTHEROOF (best price 2-1) takes on Son Of Camas, but as the former has proven solid C&D win next to his name in a fast time, then he just about receives the vote in a race which should provide us a few more Cheltenham clues.

Runner-up in his previous two starts, Colin Tizzard’s gelding was understandably a warm order to get off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt and he did so with the minimum of fuss here 28 days ago. Although it may have looked a straightforward task, the speed figure he posted suggested he ran to a standard befitted a horse of Graded level and hailing from a stable that took this race with a similar type last year in the shape of Elixir De Nutz, the consistent six-year-old can follow suit and once again boost the form lines involving Edwardian and Thyme Hill.

DEBUCHET (best price 2-1) couldn’t get any respite when trying to dictate matters at the head of affairs at Ascot last time out, but with today’s extra distance likely to provide him with a better chance of getting into a smoother rhythm, the classy grey has every chance of returning to winning ways.

Having posted a smart speed figure on his chase debut when making all the running at Fairyhouse, it made sense for the son of Smadoun to adopt similar tactics on his assault at the Berkshire venue a month later, but sadly for his sake, he kept getting constantly hassled by the outsider of the party, The Granson, and ultimately that pace pressure ultimately led to his demise. That said, he still kept on well to finish a creditable second to the more patiently ridden winner, Greanateen, and having previously shown a preference to race over distances beyond two miles in the past, a return to this intermediate trip should aid his cause no end.