Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

Rookie trainer Gearoid O’Loughlin is quickly making a name for himself and having seemingly turned around the fading light that was MITCHOUKA (best price 7-2), based on his latest performance here two weeks ago, there’s a decent chance the Co Meath handler can bag another success with the same horse on his return visit.

Smart on his day when with Gordon Elliot, the six-year-old seemed to have completely lost his way, but rejuvenated by a change of scenery, the son of Creachadoir turned in a display that was in-keeping with some of his brighter days several years back. Off the pace turning out of the back straight, the mercurial character really picked up the bridle coming down the hill and with a spring-heeled jump at the last, his momentum carried him past the fading Arvico Blue, who had set off a strong pace. Indeed, the time figure backed up the visual impression of the performance and although he now faces an altogether different test back in handicap company, he’s at least shown that a well-run race over today’s sharp track is right up his street.

Some useful and progressive types on show for this Grade 3 affair and having already proven his liking for today’s track twice over, FRENCH DYNAMITE (NAP) (best price 9-2) can put that valuable experience to good use.

A winner on rules debut over two miles here back in November, Mouse Morris’ inmate was pitched in to the deep end when asked to contest the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle on his next outing and although he came up a little short of the mark that day, the mere fact his canny handler believed he was good enough to chance his arm is testimony to the regard he’s held in at his Fethard base. Brought back to the Co Tipperary venue and fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time, the son of Kentucky Dynamite bounced back to his best form when accounting for a small, but select field, that included previous Leopardstown winner, The Bosses Oscar and Moscow Flyer third, Anything Will Do. In a race run at a sound clip, the five-year-old proved too strong for his main market rivals in the closing stages and a repeat of that level of form should see him bang on the scene again.

Nigel Nott is a sprinter very much on the up following back-to-back wins at Chelmsford and Lingfield, but he did only just scramble home last time out when his main market rival blew the turn, so he could be worth opposing facing a crew of course regulars that all have significant experience of today’s surface. Of the quartet, ZYLAN (best price 10-3) is arguably the most reliable and given that he once again acquitted himself with great credit in easily the hottest race run at the track this winter last time out, he may have the requisite class edge to land course victory number seven.

A creditable runner-up to the very speedy Hareem Queen over an inadequate five-furlong trip two starts ago, Roger Fell’s gelding was fancied to go one place better back over his optimum distance next time and although he couldn’t quite justify his position in the market, he still came out of the race with great credit. In a race run at a searing pace from the start, the eight-year-old could only keep on at the one pace behind the likes of the talented Gulliver and improving Wasntexpectingthat, but as that pair were knocking out sub-35.0 sectionals for the last three furlongs, it’s little wonder he failed to cope. Moreover, his overall time figure and closing splits (36.1) were significantly better than Sandridge Lad (36.9), who took the other six-furlong handicap on the same card and even though John Ryan’s in-form inmate has continued his progression in order for him to land another two handicaps, today’s contest will be a totally different ball game to bullying Class 4 and 5 opposition. Nicely drawn in stall five of five so he can loop the field and race on the better ground coming up the home straight, the top-weight rates a fair bet at the morning odds.

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