Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

FURZIG (best price 5-2) has been threatening to win for quite some time now and with two of his best efforts on the numbers coming over today’s track of late, Richard Fahey’s gelding is given a confident vote to gain his just rewards.

Running well despite being slightly unsuited by the insufficient tests provided by his previous two starts, the son of Monsieur Bond was seen to really good effect over today’s C&D on his latest outing when finishing strongly off a sound gallop to get within hailing distance of the hugely-progressive and well-handicapped three-year-old, Al Zaraqaan (very fast time figure for the grade). Clearly a strong stayer at the trip, hopefully The Trader will ensure today’s contest is run at a good even pace throughout, so expect this habitually held-up performer to be pouncing on the scene late in the piece.

It’s been a little while between drinks as far as HALSAFARI (best price 12-1) is concerned, but to be fair to Michael Bowe’s gelding, he’s been plying his trade to a decent level without getting his head in front and having run well on his last two starts here over hurdles, he’s fancied to go well on his return to the smaller obstacles. 

As it turned out, the son of Doyen had little chance up against the ridiculously well handicapped Dreal Deal at the Co Kildare venue back in October but having finished a creditable second, he went on to fill out the same position in a competitive heat when dropping back to the minimum trip. Just as good on the figures over fences on his two starts, particularly in a red-hot Grade B chase behind Sizing Pottsie at Fairyhouse last time out despite poor jumping letting him down, the seven-year-old clearly remains in fine heart based on that sound effort and he rates the value pick at the morning prices. 

LOYAL HAVANA (best price 10-3) run much better than the final result has suggested on his last two starts and with one of those performances coming over today’s course, hope is high Nick Littmoden’s colt can provide his capable handler with another winner before he sails off to pastures new. 

Although last of seven on his only outing at today’s track a month ago, he strongly suggested he would have considerably bettered that finishing position had he not been so green and disorganised rounding the home turn. Showing the benefit of his first two performances at Kempton last time out, the son of Havana Gold was able to dramatically turn around the Lingfield form with his old rival Caribbean Sunset and considering he managed to achieve this feat after being slowly away and turning for home in last place, says a good deal about his progress in such a short space of time. Clearly getting better in terms of pure figures and streetwiseness a slicker break resulting in a more forward early track position should see this strappy two-year-old going close to losing his maiden status