Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Some potentially interesting types from the lightly-raced category on show in this competitive affair, but one who appears to have been completely and unjustifiably overlooked is EARTH MOOR (best price 16-1) and he rates the value pick of those price up north of 14-1.

A winner on fast ground on hurdling debut back in October, Philip Hobbs’ gelding has gone on to show a high level of form in two subsequent outings on a much softer terrain and his latest effort at Wincanton strongly suggests he’s still going in the right direction. Although ultimately no match for the well-treated winner at the West Country venue, Espoir De Romany, the son of Ask still finished ahead of some useful types in what turned out to be a well-run affair and having proven himself to be well-suited by sharp, right-handed tracks, there’s no reason why he couldn’t easily outrun his morning odds.

CRIMEWAVE (best price 15-4) failed to get the rub of the green when sent off a warm order here last time out and with any amount of luck in running this time around, Tom Clover’s inmate is fancied to prove he’s still remains a fairly well handicapped horse.

Quite impressive on his first attempt over the C&D a month ago when he found a decent turn of foot close home, the son of Teofilo was ridden for luck again on his return visit three weeks later, but unfortunately things just didn’t pan out in his favour. Held up and towards the rear coming down the hill, the four-year-old ran in to a wall of horses dropping back in to his lap at a crucial stage and by the time he’d unlocked himself from the pocket, the bird had well and truly flown. The way he hit the line, however, strongly suggested he would have gone close with anything like a clear run and with a likely decent pace to shoot at courtesy of a maximum field, he makes quite a bit of each-way appeal.

COMMANCHE RED (best price 5-2) ran out quite an impressive winner of an ultra-competitive novices’ handicap over the C&D on Boxing Day and with the form working out a treat since, Chris Gordon’s gelding rates a relatively confident choice to take the step up in grade in his stride.

A useful if unspectacular hurdler, the son of Mahler’s career, however, has really taken off since switching his attentions to fences and having started with an encouraging effort over a sharp two miles at Warwick, he went on to finish a fine third in the Grade 3 Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton a month later. Handed a rating of 137 after that fine performance, the seven-year-old went to the Surrey venue for his latest encounter with expectations fairly high and off the back of a very strong pace, he powered clear of a smart field to win with plenty in hand. Not only was his overall figure very useful, his final circuit splits came out better than Clan Des Beaux in the King George, and with the likes of Simply The Betts, On The Slopes and Mr McGo all winning since, the race looks to be one of the best novice chase form lines of the season so far. Clearly a horse who thrives in a well-run environment, he should get the strong pace he desires with Mister Tommytucker in the field, and if it comes to a war of attrition off the home turn, we also know he has the requisite stamina in his locker to boot.

Kempton, by definition, is regarded as a sharp track, but you also have to stay well and, with FAIRE PART SIVOLA (best price 9-1) having proven that he can cope well with a strong-run two miles last time out at Wincanton, looks the value each-way call at the morning prices.

Too strong for subsequent winner, Trincomalee, at Leicester on hurdling debut off the back of a 308-day break, Nick Williams’ gelding was well-supported to follow up at the West Country track next time out and although he failed in his bid to justify the level of confidence behind him that day, he hardly let the side down either. Making his main market rival, Calva D’Auge, pull out all the stops, the five-year-old posted a smart speed figure in defeat and with the winner going on to boost the form with a convincing victory at Plumpton next time out, he clearly ran to a pretty high standard. Not flashy in anyway, but a horse who just gets on with the job at hand, he should get a nice tow in to the race with the likes of Kid Commando and Highway One O Two in the field and he could just turn out to be the surprise package of what looks an intriguing contest.

This doesn’t appear the classiest renewal of this valuable prize and it might well be that the evergreen BLACK CORTON (best price 6-1) is able to stamp his authority on his rivals and defy top weight.

For the most part of his career, Paul Nicholls’ inmate has been dining at the top table and even though, due to him being difficult to place, he finds winning tricky nowadays, he by and large always seems to run his race. His general consistency was almost rewarded in spectacular fashion when he just got worried out the argument in the Galway Plate back in August and since returning to these shores, the nine-year-old has three times run his usual honest and brave race in defeat. On his most recent outing, the son of Laverock only wilted late on after a slow jump at the last at Ascot but, as conditions wouldn’t have been anywhere near ideal that day, it just shows his willingness to put on a brave face when things aren’t necessarily in his favour. Back on better ground as far as he’s concerned and at a track where his form figures read 1212, this likeable character could provide his equally enthusiastic pilot another day to remember.