Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

Espion Du Chenet looks sure to go well again having run well here two starts ago and backed it up with a smooth win at Naas last time out (missed out the last two fences), but JACK DILLINGER (best price 9-2) also holds solid course form of his own and at the morning prices, he rates the value each-way alternative. 

Yet to score over fences, he has knocked on the door three times and with the latest of those runner-up spots over today’s C&D behind subsequent winner, Crossed My Mind, a repeat of that form alone would be good enough to see him go close on his return visit. Not quite good enough in a much better race at Fairyhouse last time out, today’s easier contest and step back up in trip should be more favourable and at 5-1, he makes plenty of appeal. 

CHESS PLAYER (best price 4-1) hasn’t quite lived up to his reputation at home, but he looks to be getting the hang of what’s required based on his last two runs and there’s a decent chance he will be competitive on handicap debut. 

Gelded after finishing second in a bumper on his debut at Ayr back in 2019 (sent off 11-4), Ben Pauling’s chestnut was once again well found in the market for his hurdling bow at Newton Abbot, but after far too freely early on, he ended up being pulled up before two out. Showing a little more promise next time behind Pink Sheets at Kempton, the son of No Risk At All produced a better effort at Ludlow last time out when keeping on nicely from three out and with a sharp two miles on ground on the soft side of good seemingly the order of the day, today’s examination should end up being ideal.

PHANTASMAL (best price 11-2) has been victim of his own downfall on several occasions in recent starts, but as we witnessed here two outings ago, he can be fairly useful when he gets it right and in the hope he can break on terms this time, Iain Jardine’s gelding is taken to leave behind the disappointment of his latest effort. 

Good enough to score over six-furlongs against the in-form pair, Excessable and Ustath a month ago, the son of Pivotal was a warm order to follow up on his return visit the very next day, but as it turned out, stall one ended up being a poisoned chalice as he missed the break and could never get involved having raced around the inside for the majority of the journey. Better drawn this afternoon, hopefully a cleaner beginning will see him race in a more prominent position and with most of his best form previously coming over today’s trip, the six-year-old should be good enough to make the frame at the very least.