Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

BIG IMPACT (NAP) (best price 9-4) created a favourable impression on his fibresand debut off the back of a big break 19 days ago and providing he’s taken a step forward physically and mentally from that initial outing, he should prove hard to beat on his return visit.

Exchanging yards after a couple of promising outings for Luke McJannet, the Lethal Force colt was having his first start for new connections off the back of a 168-day absence when he lined up here at the beginning of the month and, having raced just off the pace set by Lion Tower in the early stages, he ended up being the only one to offer any sort of resistance to Mark Johnston’s charge in the final two furlongs. Keeping on well without being subject to a hard ride, the three-year-old left the distinct impression he would be all the better for the experience and with today’s competition no more than ordinary at best, it would be disappointing if he wasn’t to go close to shedding his maiden tag.

CONCIERGE (best price 3-1), granted, is a tricky customer to win with but he does have plenty of ability and he’s worth chancing that today’s course – which he visits for the first time – really plays in to his strengths.

Rated 99 when at his absolute peak when with George Scott, the four-year-old has yet to win in four starts since switching to new connections, but at the same time, he’s shown more than enough to indicate his return to the winner’s circle may be imminent. Since failing to stay the seven furlongs over Newcastle’s stiff course back in December, the son of Society Rock has hit the frame on all three starts since and his latest effort at Kempton served notice that he’s really beginning to find his feet once again. Held up and last turning for home at the Surrey venue, David Loughnane’s inmate stayed on strongly from his poor position to finish within striking distance of the more prominently-ridden favourite, Treacherous, and with the overall time figure and closing splits suggesting it was a fair race for the grade, it’s fair to say it was another commendable performance from this terrier-like gelding. Running over a track today that often suits horses coming from off the pace, the way this race is likely to pan out will hopefully play in to his strengths and at top price 3-1, he’s worth a small interest in a fascinating contest.