Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

SUNSET WEST (best price 11-4) was in the process of shedding his maiden tag under rules when capsizing two at Kelso last time out and he’s afforded another chance to gain compensation despite facing two strong southern raiders.

A creditable third to the useful Ask A Honey Bee on his hurdling debut at Wetherby, Philip Kirby’s gelding was well-backed to confirm the impression he created at the Yorkshire track a month later and he looked to be travelling like a winner until disaster struck. Seemingly appreciating the step up in trip at the Borders venue, today’s examination over a stiff 2m6f should suit the son of Westerner and hailing from an outfit striking a nice bit of form at present, he should give a bold account.

A really smart field assembled for this listed mares’ contest and it’s a race well within the range of MIDNIGHTREFERENDUM (best price 4-1). A useful hurdler, Alan King’s mare, however, looks as though she’s set to become an even more potent force over fences – certainly based on her first performance – and despite hitting the deck last time out at Huntingdon, she’s fancied to prove she belongs in this class. Clocking a big number on chase debut when easily outpointing the smart Deja Vue at Fontwell, the daughter of Midnight Legend was travelling best until just getting in too tight to the notorious third last at the Cambridgeshire venue 19 days ago and providing her confidence hasn’t taken too much of a bashing (reportedly schooled well since) she has the ability to land her biggest success to date.

Bohemian Birch looked good when landing a bumper at Sligo last time out, but given her connections, it’s rather unsurprising she hasn’t been missed in the market and as a result, a better option maybe to play WILD CAPRICE (best price 12-1) from an each-way perspective.

Promising when staying on from a long way back in a decent maiden hurdle at Navan two starts ago, Thomas James’ mare was in the process of running a huge race at Limerick last time out when falling at the last and it’s that effort which gives here hope of at least making the frame here today. Although she wouldn’t have beaten the easy winner that day, she’s travelled like the second best horse in the race and with the time figure good and subsequent performances of several in behind her suggesting the form is okay, the daughter of Gold Well can go well again at a price.

COLDSTREAM (best price 12-1) ran with more encouragement with his finishing position suggested at Kempton on debut and hailing from a yard whose juveniles often improve significant from the first run to the second, Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt is fancied leave that opening gambit well behind.

Slowly away at the Sunbury venue, the son of Australia found himself in last place as the field turned for home but picking up the bridle nicely in the latter stages, he ran on strongly all the way to the line to give out positive signs for the future. In what looked a useful novice event on paper beforehand, it’s good to see the likes of Inigo Jones and Papas Dream go on to endorse the form since (finished just ahead of Coldstream) and with a better break here this evening, it would be slightly disappointing if he didn’t run better than his outsider-of-the-party tag suggested.