Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

Eye Of Heaven bids to rebuild his reputation following a disappointing display at Royal Ascot, but while he’s likely to leave that run well behind now racing back on a more favourable surface, this is unlikely to be any stroll in the park up against UBETTABELIEVEIT (NAP) (best price 2-1) who clocked a smart speed figure in disposing of some useful juveniles at Doncaster last time out.

A promising fourth on his debut at Town Moor a month ago, Nigel Tinkler’s colt was sent back to the Yorkshire venue to contest what looked a slightly tougher assignment on paper 17 days later and having travelled well throughout, he disposed of his seven rivals with some aplomb. Once in top gear inside the final furlong, the son of Kodiac showed a sharp turn of foot to pull clear to the tune of three lengths and with his overall time and backend sectionals backing up the visual impression of the performance, it’s safe to say he’s a two-year-old firmly going in the right direction. Moreover, the fourth home 16 days ago, Bright Armor, won at Bath on Tuesday and hailing from a yard who has a decent record with their juveniles at today’s track (3-10), this improving sprinter looks ready to take his game to a bigger stage.

The maiden won by GALILEO CHROME (best price 4-1) has worked out one of the best races of its kind run so far this season, so even though Joseph O’Brien’s colt lacks experience and has to find a bit on the figures with the likes of Delphi and stable mate Degraves, there’s more than a fair chance he’ll prove equal to the task.

Promising over tonight’s course on his only outing at two when a never-nearer fifth of 18 after fluffing the start, the son of Australia was extremely well backed to step up on that effort on his first outing for 237 days at the Curragh a month ago and having been well-positioned throughout, he stayed on gamely in the latter stages to claim the spoils in a driving finish. Not only was subsequent Derby winner, Serpentine, one of the rivals behind him that night, the likes of Timourid, Dawn Rising, Yulong Magicreef and Zanahiyr have all boosted the form since and with the likelihood of even more to come now stepping up to 1m4f, this imposing colt should be able to make some sort of impact at this level.

GREY FOX (best price 15-2) is difficult to evaluate in many respects having only had the two starts, but there’s enough evidence to suggest he could be potentially well-treated of a mark of 70 and he’s worth a shy at the stumps to find out whether that turns out to be the case.

Disappointing when last seen on the all-weather at Lingfield, Emma Lavelle’s grey is better judged on his debut effort at Newbury when he came home nicely to finish on the coat tails of some pretty useful juveniles and it’s that form which gives him more than affair chance here this evening. Keeping on well in the latter stages, the son of Gutaifan clocked a useful time figure in finishing fifth of a 20-strong field and with the likes of Cold Front, Risk Taker, Motamayiz, Waddat, Bullfinch, Iron Heart, Kafee, and Mabre all boosting the form at some stage since, his opening rating might just underestimate his capabilities.