Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

Irish raider Dark Vader looked good on the eye when scoring at Dundalk last time out, but he did have the luxury of dictating a slowly-run race at his own leisure before showing the better speed late on and, with the likelihood of today’s test being an altogether different one in terms of tactics and quality opposition, he’s passed over in favour of AUCHTERADER (NAP) (best price 15-8).

Fairly lightly-raced for a two-year-old of Mark Johnston’s, the daughter of Gleneagles did manage to score on two of her four appearances and with both winning performances coming courtesy of an all-the-way success, it’s clear she’s a pretty speedy customer. Upped to today’s six-furlong trip for the first time on her most recent outing at Wolverhampton, the three-year-old filly was forced to be ridden in a totally different fashion due to her poor wide draw, so in the end, to finish as close-up as she did in a competitive field has to go down as a praiseworthy effort. Moreover, had she not clipped heels and nearly come down on the home turn, she may have even captured the prize and with the likelihood of her being in a better track position here this afternoon thanks to her low draw, she makes quite a bit of appeal over a course that should suit her athletic frame and quick action.

AGAMEMMON (best price 11-2) has done really well since switching to his new stable and that decent run of form looks set to continue in this competitive staying handicap chase.

Formerly with Tom George, the son of Getaway looked badly in need of the run on his first outing of the campaign back in June but since then he’s run to a much higher standard, highlighted by his victory at Sedgefield two starts ago. Always to the fore at the Durham track, the eight-year-old stayed on strongly in the latter stage to record a comfortable success and that win also went some way to proving that he handles genuine winter ground. Although beaten on his repeat bid at Doncaster last time out, the race on Town Moor was a shade tougher with regards to quality opposition and other than favourite and course specialist, Ask Paddy, it’s not as if too many of today’s rivals are pulling up trees at the present moment in time.