Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

SHALLOW HAL (best price 9-2) found a nice change of fortunes when popping up over today’s C&D last time out and with the numbers he posted also going a long way to make sense of his performance, the son of Mayson is fancied to extend his handler’s recent good run of form.

A useful two-year-old, Karl Burke’s gelding had endured a period in the doldrums until trying his luck back on this surface for the second time and the change of scenery clearly worked as he came from a long way off the pace to win going away. Very strong in the latter stages, he had three solid recent form horses in behind him to give the race some substance, and with today’s race likely to set up for a closer with Zapper Cass in the field, he rates one of the most obvious ones to take advantage.

PUT THE KETTLE ON (NAP) (best price 5-2) proved that she’s both talented and tough in equal measures when grinding the win in the Arkle Chase at the Festival back in March and with all conditions coming alike to Henry De Bromhead’s mare, she’s fancied to put a marker down for the rest of the season in this category.

Little did we know at the time that her victory over Al Dancer at this meeting last year would turn out to be so significant as it not only proved her suitability to the stiff track, it sharpened her mind mentally for the rigours of the big Grade 1 later in the campaign. Serving it up right from the start back in March, the daughter of Stowaway had a field of top-class novices at full stretch from an early stage and maintaining a relentless gallop all the way up the hill to the line, she found loads for pressure to see off Fakir D’Oudairies – who was, in turn well clear of the rest. Unsurprisingly, given the gallop she went, the time figure she posted was very good and with the race already beginning to work out with one of today’s rivals, Rouge Vif, boosting the form already this season, it would be slightly disappointing if she couldn’t uphold the form even allowing for the fact she hasn’t had a recent run.

The Greatwood Hurdle is one of the most competitive races of its kind throughout the entire season and this year’s renewal seems no different with the usual mix of old and new locking horns. It also comes as no surprise, when looking at the roll of honour down the years, to see solid previous course form on the CV’s of previous winners so with that in mind, both TEGEREK (best price 5-1) and BALLYANDY (best price 15-2) have the sort of profiles that make them serious consideration in what appears a wide-open heat.

The former really came of age when racing over today’s C&D for the first time at the previous meeting and his stylish win has already been boosted by the likes of Wild Max and One True King since. Moreover, he was extremely strong in the latter stages of that well-run affair and with the ability to stay behind two miles a massive positive given the likely conditions here this afternoon, Jonjo O’Neill’s gelding should be capable of making an impact.

The latter needs no introduction for regular jump fans – particular those that enjoy the yearly pilgrimage to the hallowed arena – and even though he is rising ten, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ stalwart showed more than enough on his seasonal return to suggest he’s no quite ready for the pipe and slippers just yet. Giving away loads of weight in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, the son of Kayf Tara was a creditable runner-up to subsequent Elite Hurdle winner Sceau Royal and with the well-beaten fifth home that day, Amrio De Pail, also boosting the form at Wetherby yesterday, there’s every reason to feel positive about him maintain his excellent record around today’s course.