Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Art Approval ran really well in a handicap that has already began to work out well at Cheltenham last time out, but he does face an opponent in the shape of ORBYS LEGEND (NAP) (best price 7-4) who has fine credentials of his own, namely a solid C&D victory on the speed figures and on similar ground. 

Runner-up on his rules debut in a bumper at Newbury, form of which has already worked out well, Philip Hobbs’ gelding was nicely backed to go one place better on his hurdling bow here a month later and having travelled well throughout, he duly got the job done. Picking up the running turning for home, the son of Milan galloped all the way to the line to fend off the persistent challenge of the well-backed The Brass Man and with the pair 16 lengths clear of the rest, the form has a solid feel. Clearly well-suited by a stiff galloping track on soft ground, one would imagine plenty of use will be made of the four-year-old back under such conditions and if he gets the tail between his legs again, he should prove to be a hard nut to crack. 

Geography Teacher has improved with each run since being beaten by COMPASS POINT (best price 4-1) here a month ago, but the fact remains he still has to find a little extra to turn the form around with his old rival and at the morning prices, the latter makes more sense as a safer proposition from an each-way perspective. 

A regular at the fibresand-based venue, Robyn Brisland’s gelding finally gained his due rewards for many fine efforts on the surface with a victory two starts ago and with the numbers suggesting he’d run to a career-high that day, there’s no reason to doubt the form. Forced to race wide from a poor draw at Kempton last time out, his no show can easily be forgiven and now racing back under his optimum conditions, a more prominent display should be forthcoming.

ROSIE AND MILLIE (best price 10-3) fared best of those who chased the crazy gallop set by Totterdown at Sandown last time out and with today’s contest a good deal easier on paper, it would be seen as a big opportunity missed by Michael Scudamore’s mare if she fails to capitalise. 

Runner-up to the highly-progressive Buzz at Ascot previously despite setting a strong early gallop, the daughter of Flemensfirth couldn’t dominate in her usual fashion at the Esher venue two weeks later due to the similar tactics adopted by one of her rivals, but she still was comfortable enough sitting handy as the field bombed down the back straight. Picking up the running when the front runner not surprisingly fainted turning for home, the eight-year-old jumped to the front two out, but it was from that point when she also began to flag herself and she ended up being engulfed by several who had nothing to do with the early exchanges. That said, she still posted a decent time figure despite being beaten 18 lengths and with today’s smaller field, flatter track and not so demanding ground all seen as positives, she has every chance of leading the field a merry dance.