Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

RHYTHM MASTER (NAP) (best price 7-2) missed two big engagements at the Ebor meeting at York this week in favour of coming here instead and that bold move could well turn out to be an inspired choice by connections who clearly believe they have a youngster of the highest class in their midst. 

Allowed to go off at 16-1 for his debut at Haydock a month ago, Richard Fahey’s colt always looked to moving much better than those odds implied at the halfway stage, and then when asked to go about his business in the final two furlongs, he found a smart turn of foot to pull readily clear of his six rivals. Stopping the clock in a very useful time for a race of its nature, the son of Dark Angel marked himself down as a juvenile of some repute and with the third and fourth both going on to show just how good the race in question was since, it comes as no great surprise to see connections think big for this substantially made colt. Of course he now has to go and prove himself in a much higher grade on softer ground, but he does at least have the physical attributes and action to suggest he will give as good as he gets and at the morning prices, he qualifies as a sound each-way proposition. Of the rest, Campenelle is regarded as the quickest horse in the field based on her time figure at Royal Ascot, it’s just a case of whether she can be equally effective in a race which is likely to be a test of stamina rather than speed. Tactical is another who brings solid Royal Ascot form to the table courtesy of his victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes and at least his win in the July Stakes at Newmarket proved that he stays six-furlongs on softer ground well, while Nando Parrado probably has most to prove given how poorly the Coventry has worked out.

GOLDEN TOWN (best price 6-1) represents a stable synonymous with good results at today’s unique venue and while in his current form, he looks more than capable of following up his recent Perth success. 

A largely consistent if not slightly frustrating character in the past, the nine-year-old appears to have hit a real sweet spot since teaming up with today’s pilot Charlotte Jones and with the pair seen to good effect once again at the Scottish venue 33 days ago, it makes sense to keep the partnership on side. Impressing with the way he went through the well-run affair on his first run for 151 days, the son of Invincible Spirit showed the better turn of foot after the last to account for Purple King and with the runner-up going on to advertise the form with a victory over a competitive field next time, he has every chance of following suit for his local handler. 

Muraad seems likely to be all the rage here following his impressive victory at Goodwood last time out, but VICTORY CHIME (best price 6-1) deserves a little fan club of his own based on his winning effort in a fast time at Windsor two weeks ago and at the prices, he makes the most appeal of the pair. 

Surprisingly easy to back at the Berkshire venue considering his run of form towards the backend of last season, Ralph Beckett’s gelding proved his market weakness to be totally unfounded with a tenacious display and with the time figure also strongly suggesting he’d run to a career high, he should be afforded a good deal more respect 14 days on. Moreover, the third home that day, First Winter, went on to pay a handsome complement to the form at Sandown yesterday and having also proven himself over today’s venue with a C&D in the first-time visors this time last year, everything looks set fair for a big effort from the son of Campanoligist. 

Not much to choose between the top two or three in the betting here on account of pure ability and speed figures, so it’s likely to boil down to which one has the right credentials to handle a well-run six-furlongs over a stiff track on soft ground. The one who ticks pretty much all boxes when going through all their profiles is MONAASIB (best price 6-1) and because he’s been chalked up at a tempting each-way price, he rates the percentage call. 

Ever since his defeat at the hands of the hugely promising Teresa Mendoza at the Curragh on his second start, Kevin Prendergast’s colt has gone from strength to strength and his latest success at Cork which supplemented his previous victory at the Co Kildare venue only further bolsters that viewpoint. It lowering the colours of the previous Group-placed Artician, the son of Bobby’s Kitten hinted he’s now ready for something more substantial in terms of class and although today’s race doesn’t carry any black type regarding its status, he is taking on plenty of pattern-race performers in running for this hugely-enticing pot. Having handled an extended six-furlongs on soft ground last time, today’s stiff test on the straight track should prove well within his range and drawn nicely in the middle, Chris Hayes will have plenty of options which side to track should the field split into two groups.

LADY BOWTHORPE (best price 15-2) responded to an ultra-confident ride when winning like a filly right on top of her game at Ascot last time out and with bookmakers still insistent of paying her little respect to her chance once again this afternoon, not for the first time she’s fancied to prove the layers all wrong when estimating her prospects.

Rising through the ranks at a rapid rate, William Jarvis’ filly finds herself in heady heights of this quality-looking Group 3 prize courtesy of a victory in a similar contest at the Berkshire venue but she’s by no means out of place if the evidence of that performance 28 days ago is to be believed. Held up and switched off at the back of the field by Kieran Shoemark, her young pilot clearly had ultimate confidence his mount could come from so far back and so it proved, as she swept past the entire field within a short space of time to win going away. Time-wise, her effort was backed up by a career-high on the clock and having run well over today’s C&D before, she’s just as likely to deliver the goods again than not. 

It’s difficult to know by race five which side of the draw will be best favoured, but providing high numbers aren’t totally dead in the water (they sometimes have advantage on soft ground) LIGHTENING BOLTZ (best price 10-1) has a fair chance of foiling the Richard Fahey raiders. 

Just touched off by the late thrust of Lightening Jock at the Galway Festival over seven-furlongs two starts ago, Willie McCreery’s colt was dropped down to the minimum trip at Tipperary last time out and although he coped with the examination paper before him that day, he didn’t quite have the pace to cope with the speedier Mateo Cruz in the closing stages. That said, given the winner’s speed figure, it was no surprise he had to settle for the runner-up spot and with that performance likely to have conditioned him to travel well at pace, he should prove at home over the stiffer demands of today’s test.