Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

BOOK OF SECRETS (best price 11-4) may have finished last of the eight runners over today’s C&D last time out, but he may have done a whole lot better with anything like a clear run and he’s fancied to back up that view on his return to the Surrey venue.

A big eye-catcher over seven-furlongs on his final start for Ed Vaughan, new connections took the decision to immediately step him up in trip and although their opinion of him needing further wasn’t immediately rewarded, there’s every chance he will in due course. Held up at the back of the eight-strong field 19 days ago, the son of Free Eagle settled nicely in the early stages, clearly being ridden with a view to pounce late, and if it wasn’t for meeting a whole pile of trouble inside the final two furlongs when trying to get up a head of steam, there’s little doubt he would have had a huge say in the final outcome. Finishing full of running without coming off the bridle, Amy Murphy’s gelding gave out a clear indication that he remains one to keep on side and with today’s competition no greater than what he faced here last time, a big run looks on the cards in his bid to break his maiden tag.

OCEAN DRIFTER (NAP) (best price 6-4) has posted three useful speed figures of late in victory and defeat and a reproduction of any of those efforts should see him provide the favourite with a world full of trouble in a race where only a handful count.

A promising third in a bumper at Hereford last season, Oliver Sherwood’s has made an immediate impact over hurdles and following a sound performance behind the 140-rated Third Time Lucki at Uttoxeter (third won twice since), he gained his due rewards with a gutsy display at Fontwell a month later. Showing all round pace, stamina and battling qualities in equal measures at the Sussex venue, the five-year-old justified his short-price position in the market with a degree of authority and with this afternoon’s step up in trip set to really suit this former soft-ground point winner, he looks the one to be with at the morning odds.

DO YA FEEL LUCKY (best price 9-2) hasn’t been seen out since chasing home the useful Anything Will Do at Killarney in August, but having moved stables to race in the care of David Pipe, there’s a more than chance she will be fit enough to do herself justice on her UK debut.

A winner over hurdles for David Kelly, the daughter of Aizavoski just had a brief flirtation with fences before packing her bags but on each occasion, she showed a fair level of ability, none more so than the outing at the Co Kerry venue. Despite being sent an 80-1 poke, she jumped and travelled way better than her odds implied and having led throughout until down to the last, to ultimately come out second best to a horse rated 136 was a seriously fine effort. Running here today off a considerably lower mark compared to her chase rating, the six-year-old would only have to somewhere near peak fitness to go close in a race of this nature.