Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

FOLLOWME FOLLOWYOU (best price 3-1) has yet to register a win in 14 starts, which naturally resonates a slight err of caution, but at the same time, she’s shown more than enough in recent times to suggest it’s only a matter of time before everything drops in her favour and, in a race that doesn’t appear the strongest, it would be disappointing if she weren’t to go very close.

Although she’s shown a fair degree of ability on the turf, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor seems to have improved her overall performance levels since switching to the all-weather and a repeat of either one of her last three outings at the Co Louth venue should see her bang on the premises in this similar heat. Indeed, the latest instalment saw her chase home the bang in-form Happaugue from the John McConnell stable here two weeks ago and as her conqueror still appears to be a very well handicapped horse, it has to go down as a fair effort to get within two lengths of that progressive type. Moreover, the time figure also backs up the validity of the display and even though she could have done with a slightly better draw, a decent break and a good early position should provide her with the perfect platform to finally shed her maiden tag.

Quite a few of this field are on first-name terms after clashing in recent weeks and of the regular bar flies, CAUTIOUS APPROACH (best price 7-2) and MUZBID (best price 15-2) make the most appeal at the morning odds.

The former had been plying his trade over a mile to a fair degree of success throughout the Autumn and earlier Winter, so he wouldn’t have necessarily been the first name on the list of likely winners when he arrived here for a similar event over the C&D a month ago. Facing the 1m4f trip for just the second time (sixth on first attempt), Richard O’Brien’s inmate defied his weakness in the market by scoring with a nice bit up his sleeve, thus jettisoning that notion that he might not have the required stamina. Ironically caught out by a slowly-run, tactical affair on his return visit a week later, the son of Dawn Approach still ran with great credit despite not quite having the answers to withstand Sayesse and Jon Ess close home, but at least that effort went some way to suggest he remains in decent heart and he can take advantage of his favourable inside draw in trap one.

The latter has also been unsuited by slowly-run races on his last two starts and he’s afforded another chance to make more of an impact with the likelihood of a better pace this time around.

Seen to much better effect three starts ago when coming with a powerful late surge off the back of strong fractions, Rodger Sweeney’s gelding proved conclusively that he’s pretty useful when those circumstances are in his favour and with the likes of Irradiate and Park Row there to ensure the gallop will be a fairly generous one, his deep-closing run-style can be seen to best advantage.

LEQUINTO (NAP) (best price 5-2) has only the one decent run to assess his prospect here this afternoon, but such was the promise he exhibited 35 days ago, it’s difficult to ignore his persuasive claims on his return visit.

Making his all-weather debut following a 170-day break, the son of Requinto was sent off a 40-1 no-hoper in what looked a competitive field, but despite his friendlessness in the market, he really caught the eye with the way he finished off his race. Turning for home with only one behind him, Daniel O’Sullivan’s gelding stayed on in relentless fashion down the straight and by the time he’d hit the line, he found himself within shouting distance of the massively in-form Eglish. As the winner as gone on to score twice since, the form looks particularly strong in the context of tonight’s race and even though there was a slight suspicion of him lugging to the left last time, hopefully being drawn next to the fence will partly negate any issues he might have on that score. A good break can see him track the pace likely to be set by Sebs Star from gate four and another strong finish down the straight should hopefully see him get the job done.