Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

The was a lot to like about the manner of THE EAGLE’S NEST’s (best price 5-1) victory here last week and even though he drops back a furlong for his return visit, Alexander Dunn’s gelding is still fancied to prove that 20-1 success was no fluke.

Making his fibresand debut eight days ago, the son of Lope De Vega went into that competitive mile handicap without the kind of credentials to suggest he wasn’t necessarily a winner waiting to happen, but proving an instant hit to his new surface, he belied his position in the market with a performance of some merit. Coming from a good bit back in the field, the six-year-old chestnut picked off his rivals one by one with a relentless surge down the home straight and in the end, he actually scored with a bit up his sleeve. Moreover, his final three furlong split fared very favourable up against the 92-rated Dune Of Pilat, who took the novice stakes over the same C&D half an hour later and, with those numbers pointing towards the strong possibility of The Eagle’s Nest being quite well treated, even a mandatory penalty might not to enough to prevent him going in again. With quite a few firms offering four places, he makes plenty of each-way appeal at his morning odds.

QUEEN OF SILCA (NAP) (best price 15-4) deserved to be marked up as a big eye-catcher at Lingfield last time out and with tonight’s contest not looking the strongest on paper, Mick Channon’s filly can get off the mark at the sixth time of asking.

Extremely promising on her handicap debut when upped to a mile for the first time at the Surrey venue a two months ago, the daughter of Kingman was well-backed to vindicate the impression she created that day back at the same track a month later and although her bid ended in a bit of a damp squib, it may have been a different story had she obtained a clearer run. Settling towards the rear of a competitive field 12 days ago, the three-year-old filly went for a daring run up the inside rail as the pack turned for home, but just as she was trying to initiate a challenge, her path got blocked at a vital stage. Finishing with plenty of juice left in the tank, she left the impression she would have been a big player if the gaps had opened in time and with tonight’s course a little more generous to those who like to come off the pace, she should turn out to be a big player with any amount of luck in running.