Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

FERNANDO VICHI (best price 6-4) had to settle for the runner-up berth on his debut at Navan two weeks ago, but he still managed to beat one of main rivals here today, Brazil, fair and square, looking some way the better horse of the pair, so on that basis, he has to rate the value bet to confirm his superiority.

Not especially well fancied at the Co Meath venue, hence his 16-1 staring price, the son of Australia almost turned those odds on its head by finishing off strongest of all to force a photo with the well-touted Los Andes and, in doing so, he left the distinct impression that he was certain future winner of a similar event. Based on his strength in the latter stages of that initial display, today’s long pull to the line off the home turn looks sure to suit and it would be a surprise if he didn’t get the job done at the second time of asking unless there’s something special lurking amongst the unraced ranks.

HAGGARD LAD (best price 3-1) went close to shedding his maiden status at Bellewstown on his first outing for 149 days, but he did more than enough in defeat to suggest he won’t have to wait too much longer to get his head in front and tonight’s contest looks a good opportunity for that promise to be realised.

Held up towards the rear, the Moraozov gelding faced a huge task in trying to run down the well-fancied Eagle Moon who had the luxury of an uncontested lead, but to his great credit he managed to get within three lengths of Henry De Bromhead’s hot-pot at the line and that effort has to go down as an extremely creditable one under the circumstances. Likely to improve in terms of sharpness following that initial outing, Gillian Callaghan’s gelding is one of only a handful with realistic claims of capturing the prize and he should be played accordingly.

Connections of SHOULDERING (best price 4-1) must have been delighted with the way she performed on her debut in a useful novice even at Haydock and hailing from a yard who always seem to do well at tonight’s track, David Menuisier’s filly can prove her opening gambit was no fluke.

Nibbled at in the market at the Merseyside venue, the daughter of Epaulette soon had herself and her supporters on the back foot by missing a beat at the start, but by halfway, she’d made up most of the lost leeway to give herself an outside chance of getting a piece of the action. Still travelling well as she came breezing up to the leaders two out, unfortunately she couldn’t maintain her momentum all the way to the line on the rain-softened ground, but there was plenty to like about the way she didn’t completely fold either, and that attitude bodes well for the future. On a better surface tonight, Ryan Moore booked and housed favourably in stall one, this likeable three-year-old has enough quality to make some sort of impact.

Time may tell THAI POWER (best price 8-1) bumped into an above-average type in the shape of Galata Bridge at Wolverhampton last time, but having lost nothing in defeat, the Kingman colt is given another chance to regain the winning thread.

A costly failure when seemingly well-treated on handicap debut at Lingfield back in June, Andrew Balding’s colt soon made amends with the galloping nature of Kempton playing more into his strengths next time. Strong in the market once again before his latest encounter, the lightly-raced three-year-old went as well as anything for majority of the journey but he ended up just being outpaced by a horse who was punching a hole in 23 and change from the two-furlong pole. That said, his overall performance levels strongly suggested he ran a good deal better than a horse of his lowly rating and even though he faces another stiff examination against some rivals who have been mixing it with useful company, this imposing colt should by no means be underestimated.

GUNFIRE REEF (NAP) (best price 9-4) ran out an impressive winner of a competitive handicap chase at Tipperary four days ago and with connections keen to strike before the assessor gets a chance to rejig his sums, Mags Mullins’ gelding rates a strong choice to take advantage of his apparent lenient rating now back over hurdles.

Running okay without setting the world on fire last season, the son of King’s Theatre hinted of better times ahead when a solid third on his first run for 121 days at the Limerick Junction venue a month ago and that effort clearly did him the world of good as he was able to go two places better on his return visit 18 days on. Back over fences, the 10-year-old was always going well in a handy position throughout and then when asked to seal the deal turning for home, he kept on strongly to see off the staying-on Brogine. Amazingly, he managed to run the last circuit in a quicker time than the very useful Davids Charm, who took the beginners chase over a mile shorter, so based on those findings, it’s clear this revitalised character would only have to repeat the dose to oblige against a field of this nature.