Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

LILY’S GEM (NAP) (best price 13-8) represents a stable that has a fine record at this track in recent times and following a useful effort in a well-run novice event at Down Royal last time out, she has a decent opportunity to add to her handler’s tally.

A bumper winner back in 2018, the daughter of Scorpion has yet to add to that tally in six attempts over hurdles, but in mitigation, she has been set quite a few stern tasks – including the one when last seen on Boxing Day. In what turned out to be an extremely strongly-run contest for a race of its types, the seven-year-old kept on as well as could be expected from mid-division to finish a respectable third behind easy winner, Opposites Attract, but as that horse had run against the likes of Dol Kier and Longhouse Poet previously, it just puts into context what she was up against 11 days ago. Back amongst her own sex on ground and trip that suits, this honest galloper should go close to shedding her maiden status.

JAC BROWN (best price 10-1) strongly suggested he’d be a good deal wiser following his debut over hurdles at Ffos Las last time out and he rates the solid each-way alternative to those down the front end of the market in this competitive maiden hurdle.

A smooth winner of a bumper at the same Welsh track last May, Debra Hamer’s gelding subsequently found life in a Cheltenham version much too tough after a 151-day break back in October and it was that point connections decided to see what he could achieve over hurdles. Sent off a well-backed 5-4 poke 21 days ago, the son of Multiplex was a little sticky over the first few hurdles until working out what was required, and in the end those niggly errors meant he just came up a little short in the final analysis, finishing a respectable third behind Freedelivery. Sure to have learnt plenty from that initial experience - hopefully more so in the jumping department - the six-year-old, who went really well on his only previous start at today’s venue, has a fine chance of making the frame at the very least given his overall level of ability.

STAR ASCENDING (best price 7-2) is probably better known for his exploits over further than today’s trip, but he did shape well enough over the C&D last time out and a repeat of the same level of form should see the veteran there or thereabouts back at his happy hunting ground.

A regular at the Dunstall Park venue over the years, the eight-year-old has managed to win here five times in the past and even though all those victories have taken place over 1m4f, he doesn’t lack the pace for two furlongs shorter. A slow start put paid to his chance over today’s C&D last time out, but given the way he finished off his race and the time figure the contest produced, Jennie Candlish’s gelding clearly ran about as well as could be expected in the circumstances. Nicely drawn today providing he can take advantage with a decent break, the son of Thousand Words is likely to be a big player at the death if he’s close enough to challenge off the home turn.