Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

FANCY MAN (best price 5-1) made a promising start to his career with a convincing victory in a fair novice event at Haydock on debut and with his attitude one of the most pleasing aspects of his game at the Merseyside track, he rates a strong candidate to bring that likeable temperament up to listed level at the second time of asking.

Nibbled at in the market beforehand, the Pride Of Dubai colt always gave out the kind of signals during the race he was going to give his supporters a good run for their money and as it turned out, he went on to take the large slice of the pie. Staying on strongly in the latter stages of a well-run affair, Richard Hannon’s inmate lowered the colours of some highly-regarded types and with the form of the race given several boosts since, another bold show is anticipated from this promising youngster.

It goes without saying, Battaash has been the dominant force in this division for quite some time now and if everything goes according to plan career win number 13 could be hurtling his way. However, up against many in the field who also have a very aggressive run style, it’s unlikely to be a complete stroll in the Knavesmire park and the safest option at the prices could be an each-way investment on A’ALI (best price 8-1), who looks booked to thrive on a well-run environment.

Settled now over the minimum trip after a brief flirtation with six-furlongs, the son of Society Rock has proved on more than several occasions he’s a match for most at the top level and his victory at Sandown two starts ago went a long way to show how good he can be when on his A-game. Finishing with a flourish at the Esher venue, the four-year-old ran right over the top of some smart sprinters inside the closing stages and with his winning time he posted ending up being one of the fastest recorded in this division all season, there’s no way he should be underestimated now asked to take it to another level. Just as good last time out at the Curragh when coming from off the speed to collar track specialist Make A Challenge despite racing alone on the slowest part of the track, Ed Crisford’s speedball will get all the assistance he needs to run to maximum capacity.

As we witnessed here on day one of the Ebor fixture, Kevin Ryan’s juveniles are always worthy of much respect on the Knavesmire and the Yorkshire handler has another solid prospect in the maiden rich in tradition in the shape of BROOMY LAW (best price 7-1).

Putting himself at a huge disadvantage with a slow start on debut at Haydock, the son of Gleneagles caught the eye with the way he finished off his race 18 days ago and as he also looked like he would come on considerably for the one, there should be no harm done backing him each-way in a race a little more wide-open than the morning odds would have you believe.

ASIAAF (NAP) (best price 9-4) went through her latest assignment at the Glorious Goodwood like the most likely winner for majority of the journey until she just outstayed by Believe In Love, but now racing over a trip sure to see her in a better light, the tall, rangy filly can keep the good recent run going for her Whitsbury handler.

A keen-going sort, Marcus Tregoning’s filly was held up towards the rear at the Sussex venue in order to try and get her to try and relax on her first attempt beyond 1m2f, and although she to execute the first part of the deal, she just came up a little short in the stamina department. That said, she still strongly suggested she remains a well-handicapped horse at present despite her defeat and with the time figure good and the winner going on to endorse the form subsequently, it would be something of a surprise if she doesn’t continue her progression over a track that should suit.

Probably the toughest handicap of the four-day fixture run so far to date in terms of multiple permutations but there’s a fair chance HARTSWOOD (best price 8-1) will go well again over a track that clearly plays into his strengths.

Runner-up to the progressive Black Caspian on his first visit the Knavesmire, Richard Fahey’s colt shaped as though he would be all the better for the run that day after a 278-day layoff and so it proved as he came back to the scene of that fine effort to go two places better two weeks later. Staying on best of all off the back of strong fractions 27 days ago, the son of Garswood also seemed to appreciate the step up to a mile when accounting for eight established older handicappers and with the fact he comes back here again being the only C&D winner in the field, he can hopefully put his vital course knowledge to good use.

ZLATAN (best price 11-2) hasn’t got earth-shattering form figures next to his name over hurdles as of yet, but he does boast some smart performances on the Flat since the resumption of racing and he could turn out to be a well-handicapped horse if he can translate some of that form back to the winter game.

Largely racing on heavy ground up to now over hurdles, Ed De Giles’ gelding seven-year-old wouldn’t have been in any way in his comfort zone under such conditions. So there’s every reason to cut him some slack on that score. Moreover, he seems to be a totally different proposition based on his last three runs on the level recently and with all of those efforts coming courtesy of very smart speed figures, he looks poised to take advantage of his bargain basement mark now switching codes.