Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Abrag shaped like a horse with tons of natural ability when an eye-catching fourth on his debut at Kempton 24 days ago and with the distinct prospect of more to come, Andrew Balding’s colt is strongly fancied to back up that view second time around. Sadly, all the fancy overnight prices have been snaffled up about the most likely winner (was 7-2 early doors), so the next best option is to play VANITY AFFAIR (best price 13-2) from an each-way stance.

Making his debut on the very same card, Charlie Fellows’ gelding also caught the eye in a slightly more stronger run race according to the figures, staying on takingly from the back of the field to finish just behind the those involved in a three-way photo, and it was a performance he should easily be capable of improving upon in due course. Slowly away from his wide gate, the son of Mayson spent the first part of the race running with the dummy in his mouth and it wasn’t until straightening up going by the intersection just over two furlongs out that he finally began to engage with what he was supposed to be doing. Coming home with plenty of purpose, the strapping four-year-old hit the line really hard without being knocked about in any way and providing he doesn’t spend the whole of today’s race with his head in the clouds, he has bright prospects of improving significantly on his fourth place finish.

Lightning struck twice when once again the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown’s four-day Christmas meeting was run at a much stronger all-round tempo than the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle on the same card (six seconds faster on final circuit), so even allowing for the fact FUNKY DADY (best price 4-1) got beaten a fair way in ninth, he still ran well enough to warrant an interest now his sights are lowered considerably.

Setting out in midfield with a circuit to run at the Dublin venue, Denis Hogan’s gelding made good ground to race just behind the leader turning for home, but just as he did the time before in a similarly-competitive heat at Navan, he failed to see out the three miles against very strong stayers at the trip. Prior to those recent efforts, the five-year-old chestnut had captured the final of the Red Mills series in determined fashion when he seemed to appreciate a well-run 2m4f better, and now dropping back to his optimum distance here this afternoon, there’s clearly a strong case to be made for him to regain the winning thread.

GALICE MACALO (NAP) (best price 11-4) was unlucky to be on the receiving end of Benson’s whirlwind finish in a listed handicap hurdle over today’s C&D last time out, but at least that venture gave her some sort of insight in to what it takes to handle a well-run affair in boggy conditions at the Esher venue and that all-important knowledge can be put in to good use on her return visit.

Quite keen when making all the running to score at Warwick and Stratford respectively earlier in the campaign, the significant step up in grade appeared a bold move by connections, but as it turned, the decision proved to be an inspired one as she only found one too good. Despite chasing a hot pace from the start, she still had plenty of petrol left in the tank on the run down to the last and even though she couldn’t find the necessary reserves to withstand the winner, it’s worth noting she pulled well clear of the rest. So far, three horses have run out of the race, the winner going on to run an unbelievable race in the Betfair Exchange Hurdle at Ascot next time, the fourth, Rosie and Millie, just narrowly touched off at Musselburgh yesterday and the eighth, Eglantine Du Seuil, going on to finish runner-up to the progressive The White Mouse at Cheltenham on her next outing. As you can see, the race in question 28 days ago is a seriously solid piece of form and with the prospect of Jane Williams’ mare potentially receiving a nice tow into the race with the likes of Metier, Do You Job, Smurphy Enki, and Shakem Up’Arry all having made the running in the past, she should get the race setting up in a similar fashion to what she encountered last time.