Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

Gordon Elliott has really made this race his own in the past decade, winning it no fewer than five times, and the Co Meath handler appears to have another fine opportunity to add his name to the roll of honour board once again courtesy of ESKYLANE (NAP) (best price 9-5).

A very creditable fifth in last season’s Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, the six-year-old ran about as well as could be expected for a horse seen as a three-mile chaser long term and even this season’s exploits are likely to be seen as a precursor for what lies ahead. That said, he was classy enough to land a decent maiden hurdle at Punchestown on his first outing of the campaign over two miles despite blowing up on the run down to the last and with the speed figure hinting that he has more than enough natural pace to hold his own over the minimum trip for the time being, it will take a fair effort by one of his rivals to lower his colours.

FLEGMATIK (best price 3-1) needed every yard of the two-mile trip when scoring at the first time of asking over fences at Carlisle a month ago and with today’s extra yardage and stiff course set to suit, Dan Skelton’s gelding can keep the fine run of his stable going in the right direction.

Useful over hurdles, the son of Fuisse, however, always looked like he was going to be a better chaser and on the evidence of his opening gambit at the Cumbrian venue, that viewpoint holds firm. Outpaced coming down the hill in what turned out to be a well-run affair 24 days ago, the five-year-old chestnut stayed on strongly once meeting the rising ground and by the time he’d landed on the run-in after a good jump at the last, he had the momentum to pull clear of a competitive field. Time figure-wise, the race in question proved to be the best on the card and having shown a fair technique at the first time of asking, his skills should be seen to good effect around a track that rewards sound jumping.

SAMETEGAL (best price 4-1) couldn’t lay a glove on the runaway winner Minellacelebration at Aintree last time out but there was certainly no disgrace in finishing a respectable third given the speed figure the winner posted and that effort should have at least put a nice edge on him when it comes to today’s similar contest.

Paul Nicholls’ gelding has always dined at the top table throughout his career, so much so that he’s always hovered in and around the mid-140 range in the ratings. Although he’s only managed to score twice over fences, he’s often acquitted himself with great credit in defeat – usually picking up some sort of place prize money – and he chucked another couple of bags of sand into the hod courtesy of that decent display at the Merseyside venue 14 days ago. Moving in contention at the cross fence four out, the son of Saint Des Saints could only keep on at the one pace late on but with strong possibility of him being much straighter for the run and cheekpieces on for the first time, he makes plenty of appeal hailing from a trainer-jockey combination going great gun at present.