Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

KIRIGLOTE (best price 9-2) did really well to finish as close as he did to a very useful sort in a decent bumper at Haydock last time out and now he faces a sterner test, trip wise, Donald McCain’s gelding is fancied to make a bright start to his career over hurdles.

Promising in three point-to-points despite not winning, the son of Poliglote was fairly easy to back on his rules debut over today’s course back in November, but despite having plenty left on his plate turning for home, he stayed on extremely powerfully to claim the spoils late on. Outpaced at a crucial stage at the Merseyside venue 23 days ago, the six-year-old did all his best work in the final half a mile to get within hailing distance of a horse in the shape of Ask A Honey Bee, who could easily make the line-up for the Champion Bumper such are his qualities, and with stamina looking his number one attribute, he can put it up to the more experience Evander who is likely to go a decent gallop from the front.

FROM THE HEART (best price 2-1) improved dramatically from his debut effort over fences when stepped up in trip at Taunton last time out and with the promise of even more to come, Philip Hobbs’ charge is strongly fancied to prove he’s a step or two ahead of the handicapper.

Runner-up on his opening salvo over fences at Huntingdon, albeit beaten a fair way, the son of Jeremy came in for significant support at the West Country track a month later and, after being on the sharp end of sound pace throughout, he readily justified his position in the market. Good on the numbers from an overall and final lap sectionals perspective, the six-year-old left the impression he was a good deal better than a 99-rated performer and with the runner-up, fourth and tenth all doing their bit for the form subsequently, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t keep the general trend of that race 41 days ago going in a similar direction.

MINELLA TRUMP (NAP) (best price 11-8) has looked really good in both his victories under rules to date and off a mark which doesn’t appear too penal, the improving six-year-old can continue his upward curve on his first attempt in handicap company.

An impressive winner of an Irish point last season, the Shantou gelding arrived on these shores with a fairly tall reputation and with the market speaking heavily in his favour on his rules debut at Sedgefield, he readily lived up to the hype. Returning to the Durham venue a month later, Donald McCain’s gelding was once again well found in the betting and having travelled with a degree of swagger during the first half of the 2m4f journey, he assumed total command at the business end, eventually scoring with plenty in hand. A classy type with a decent engine and likable attitude towards the game, he should turn out to be better than a 123-rated horse further down the line and he gets an immediate opportunity to back up that viewpoint at a track that should play into his strengths (not short of tactical speed for a sharp circuit).

Quite a few with promising profiles here, none more so than PRINCE OF EAGLES (best price 6-4) who caught the eye with a performance full of encouragement for the future at Chelmsford last time out. Slowly away and in rear early, David Lanigan’s inmate had about as much chance of troubling the judge at halfway than Craig Revel Horwood has of getting out his 10 paddle on a regular basis, but to his great credit, he stayed on well enough in the home straight to suggest he’s coming along nicely in terms of learning what’s required. Considering he was only an 11-4 chance at the Essex venue, presumably the son of Free Eagle is capable of more than he has shown so far, and with a clean break this time around, he can begin to fulfil his potential.