Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

FOREVER DES LONG (best price 9-2) ultimately got beaten a fair way at Wincanton last time out, but he travelled well for a large portion of that strongly run race at the West Country venue and he rates a sound choice to vindicate the impression he created that day in what appears a contest no stronger on paper.

Justifiably 33-1 in the market beforehand after two no-shows in a bumper and a novice hurdle respectively, Philip Hobbs’ gelding loomed up going as well as the ‘big two’ in the market rounding the home turn 20 days ago and although he couldn’t quite match the speed of both Calva D’Auge and Fair Part Sivola from the second last, that brief dalliance with the winner’s cheque very much suggested he’s quite a bit better than his previous form figures imply. Moreover, the winner has gone on to boost the form with a smooth victory since and with the runner-up entered up to run in a Grade 2 at Kempton at the weekend, it just puts in to perspective what the five-year-old faced that wet and windy afternoon. Once again running over a track with a similar layout, the son of Blue Bresil should prove to be in his element and he makes plenty of appeal at the morning prices.

RATH AN LUIR (NAP) (best price 7-2) impressed by the way he powered to victory at Newcastle last time out and he looks fully equipped to take his first venture in to handicap company in his stride.

Shaping well when fourth in a decent novice event on rules debut at Ayr, Rose Dobbin’s gelding found himself up against two useful staying types at the Gosforth Park venue two months ago and having looked as though he might come out third best turning for home, he ended up taking the prize with some authority. On the evidence of that display, the son of Flemensfirth appears to have stamina in abundance and with today’s three-mile trip on soft ground over a galloping track likely to play heavily in to his strengths, he rates a strong choice to continue his progression.

The Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown over the Christmas period was noted for its very strong final circuit time compared to the Grade 1 won by Apples Jade over the same C&D and with the form, by and large, having worked out pretty well over the ensuing period (winner, Treacysenniscorthy, has won again since), both HIGH SPARROW (best price 15-2) and A GREAT VIEW (best price 10-1) are fancied to once again fly the flag for that quality three-mile handicap.

The former fared the better of the pair 53 days ago, finishing a close-up fifth, and although he failed to improve on that finishing position in a similar contest back at the Dublin track next time, he shaped better than his losing margin suggested by coming from a long way off the pace in a slower run affair. Both of those last performances indicate an overall improvement in his levels of form since the blinkers went on and having scored on his only previous visit to today’s track, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding is worth a decent crack at his morning quotes.

The latter failed to get involved in that 25-strong handicap back in December, but to be fair, he had little or no chance of doing so considering where he was at halfway. Much better judged on his effort when fourth over today’s course on his opening gambit off the back of a 324-day break, Denis Cullen’s gelding now races back over the same C&D which saw him victorious at the Festival in 2018 off a similar mark and he, too, makes quite a bit appeal with plenty seemingly in his favour. Another positive note for the pair today is that they both need to go close to winning in order to qualify for the final, so there’s every chance their cards will be firmly put on the table.