Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

DECIMATION (best price 5-1) has done precious little wrong in both his two starts to date and despite him being up against a fairly strong-looking field for a maiden hurdle, he’s very much expected to give another bold account.

Henry De Bromhead’s gelding made a bright start to his career when a creditable runner-up to the very smart Queens Brook at Fairyhouse back in October and although he failed in his bid to go one place better at Clonmel on his latest outing, time may tell that he bumped into an above-average type in the shape of Irascible (due to run in the Grade 1 here tomorrow) from his own stable. The fact he also got embroiled in a battle for the lead a long way from home with one of his main market rivals, Envious Editor, probably did him no favours, but at least he ended up posting a very fast speed figure in defeat and the form from that contest alone, if repeated, that should enable him to hit the frame at the very least.

There’s a decent chance One Cool Poet could end up being very difficult to beat if translating some of his Flat form back to hurdles, but at the same time, he hasn’t been missed in the market, whereas both BIG KING (best price 15-2) and ENVIOUS EDITOR (best price 12-1) look to be slightly overlooked despite arriving here with arguably the best recent form.

The former looked miles ahead of his handicap mark when scoring with plenty of authority at Navan last time out and he also represents a stable in cracking nick at present. The way he was backed pre-race and ridden at the Co Meath venue 34 days ago strongly suggested he was going to win in the manner he did and even though the assessor has done his best to try and stem the tide, his new rating of 115 still may be someway short of his ceiling.

The latter has still yet to win in 12 starts but his last four runs have all been to a very high standard against some hot novices, so he should at least find today’s task well within range. Indeed, the pick of his performances, based on pure form and speed figures would give him more than a fighting chance of making a well-deserved breakthrough and he’s been chalked up at the sort of price that will have many each-way backers in a bit of a lather.

SMALL PRESENT (best price 6-1) seemed to get along just fine with a stiffer examination that he previously attempted at Newcastle last time out and he may be capable of finding his rather hit-and-miss stable with some much-needed cheer.

Unsuited by the tight nature of Sedgefield on his two previous outings despite running with credit, Sue Smith’s gelding faced some pretty stern opposition at the Gosforth Park venue last time out and although he ended up finishing just outside the money, his performance was arguable one of his best so far to date. Keeping on strongly all the way down the straight, the son of Presenting finished on the coat tails of the likes of Ask A Honey Bee (third in a Grade 2 next time) and Tupelo Mississippi (won since), so to still come out of an encounter of that nature with an almost identical rating as to before, he has enough quality to take advantage of such leniency in just his second handicap start.

TROOPER TURNBULL (NAP) (best price 7-2) made light work of his opponents when getting off the mark at the fifth attempt at Kelso last time out and he looks well enough handicapped given the qualities he’s shown so far to date to be a massive factor in a race of this nature.

The way he travelled on his previous race at the same venue back in October strongly suggested he has a fair engine, but the difference 20 days ago was the fact he’d had a run under his belt and that noticeable sharpness in his work proved to be the decisive factor. The way he sauntered up to the pace setters at the Borders venue before putting the race to bed with ease indicated the six-year-old is very much on the rise and hailing from a yard who continue to tick along in pretty decent fashion of late, he looks destined to go close despite the steadier of top weight.

A tight handicap to conclude the card but both SWITCH HITTER (best price 10-1) and RUNSWICK BAY (best price 12-1) have shown enough so far to suggest they can make their presence felt and they should be backed accordingly at the morning odds.

The former displayed good battling qualities to fend off subsequent winner Malinello here last time out and with the pair nicely clear of the well-touted Vegas Blue, the form looks particularly strong. A typical chasing type for which his trainer is renown, the son of Scorpion looks to have a bright future whatever the outcome here today, but hopefully he should be good enough to hold his own off an opening mark of 127.

The latter was a creditable runner-up to the potentially high-class Bravemansgame in a decent novice event at Exeter two starts ago, so it was no great surprise to see him land the odds in a similar contest at Taunton last time out. Appreciating the good gallop set at the West Country venue, Emma Lavelle’s gelding proved very much equal to the task and with today’s step up in trip likely to suit, he rates as one of the most overpriced runners in the field.