Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

Denis Hogan has assembled a proper team of quality sprinters under his tutorship in the last couple of seasons (Sceptical and Make A Challenge testimony to his skills) and one of the most recent beneficiaries of his skills, BOUGHTINTHEDARK (best price 5-1), is fancied to continue the excellent work by the Co Tipperary handler and follow up in her C&D victory from 13 days ago.

Having not shown a great deal during a short spell at Dundalk over the winter, it was understandable that the daughter of Dandy Man was sent off an unconsidered 16-1 chance on her return to action after a 180-day break, but as it turned out, her odds were about as generous as you are likely to see. Always cantering in the hands of Joe Doyle, the four-year-old cruised to the front at the two-furlong pole and then shaken up for minimal pressure she strode up the hill to readily pull clear of her toiling rivals. Now obviously with a victory of that nature, the handicapper has tried to do his job, but as it was almost impossible to work out how much in hand she had over the field, even her new adjustment of 15lb might not be enough. The mere fact she still gets to race in 0-65 company is more likely to be the key component and in any case the excellent Joey Sheridan offsets quite a bit of the burden which should be enough to ease the mind for those who go to bed at night worrying over weights and measures. That said, today’s contest is a little more competitive than the one she claimed at the last meeting with the likes of Face Off, Sestriere, Plough Boy and Early Call, all capable at this sort of level, but providing she’s in the same sort of mood a fortnight after her recent romp, the rest will have to raise their game to beat her.

A competitive 1m5f handicap on paper, but providing WALKING ON GLASS (best price 9-2) is anywhere near a decent level of sharpness first time out then Padraig Roche’s gelding should be in the mix. An improving type last season under both codes, the son of Big Bad Bob went from finishing an excellent third in a hot handicap over today’s course on the Flat last October, to chasing home Traceysennicorthy in a similarly tough contest over hurdle at Punchestown a month later. Given the subsequent exploits of the winner that day (now rated 138), the five-year-old did well to get within striking distance of Robert Widger’s gelding and it was a performance that strongly suggested he was raising his game to greater heights. Just one more decent in January followed, but he hasn’t run since so we just have to take it on trust to a degree he will be straight enough after his 165-day sabbatical. That said, it’s reassuring to know he managed to score after a similar length away from the action when scoring over today’s C&D last May, so there’s a fair chance he can repeat the dose in a race that could be a lot stronger for 0-70 grade.

ZAISAN (NAP) (best price 3-1) bumped into a couple of smart colts on debut at Windsor last week, but he came out of the race with great credit by sticking to his task manfully and, likely to know more this time around, Archie Watson’s colt can make favourite backers sweat from every pour.

Relatively easy to back at the Berkshire venue, the son of Siyouni went through the early part of the race better than his odds suggested and by the time the main pack reached the halfway stage, he was still in with a big shout. Headed just over a furlong out, his raced looked as good as run, but rallying to the call close home, he picked up again to good effect and hitting the line nice and hard, he gave out plenty of positive signals for the future. Bred to get much further than six-furlongs in time, hopefully plenty of use will be made of him tonight in order to utilise his stamina and providing he hits the lids cleanly and gets to the front from his wide post, he has enough ability not to give up his lead lightly down the straight.