Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

STORM ARISING (best price 5-1) rather let the prize slip out of his fingers at Sandown last time out, but either way, it looks strong form and, if repeated, another big performance looks on the cards from Paul Nicholls’ mud lover.

Third in a quality Pertemps Qualifier at Wincanton last season under testing conditions, the son of Yeats revelled in another stamina test at Lingfield on his season return when getting up in the shadows of the post to land a competitive little seven-runner affair. Although he couldn’t quite manage to add to his winning tally at the Esher venue 36 days ago, he went through the race like a well-handicapped horse and with the time figure good and the fourth, Flemcara, scoring since, it’s hard to envisage him not having some sort of say in the final outcome in this similar contest.

WAIT FOR THE LORD (best price 4-1) has clearly found her sweet spot at today’s venue and following a tremendous effort in a listed contest last time out, David Elsworth’s mare can continue her fine recent form in this much easier event. 

A little too keen for her own good in bumpers over two miles, the daughter of bated Breath has had her attentions switched to the all-weather and having found a mile just on the sharp side for her at Kempton back in November, she didn’t have to wait too long to click into gear when successful over today’s C&D. Despite posting a fast time for a maiden, it was still a big ask by connections to pitch her up against the likes of Sangarius and Dubai Warrior on her return visit 21 days ago but she proved equal to the task by finishing a close up sixth, only beaten four lengths. Strong in the latter stages after being switched off at the back of the field, one would expect her to receive a similar ride by Dougie Costello and if everything falls her way, she’s fancied to be a big player at the business end.

TRUCKERS LODGE (best price 11-1) ran a brave race to finish runner-up in last season’s renewal of this event and even though he faces no easy task this time around due to his rise in the ratings, he can’t be ruled out of calculations given his proven stamina under today’s testing conditions and his love for today’s track. 

Relatively easy to back twelve months ago despite winning his previous race at the Welsh venue with a degree of comfort, the son of Westerner always travelled like he was going to erase fears on account of the heavy ground and as it turned out, it took a massive effort by Potters Corner to lower his colours. Freshened up and aimed at the Midlands National three months later, the nine-year-old gained compensation in the best possible fashion by running away with the 4m2f contest and on that evidence, he thoroughly deserves his revised rating. Going well when uncharacteristically unseating rider at Kelso on his comeback effort, he did at least complete the course loose - thus serving the purpose of blowing away the cobwebs - and with a run style that should see him involved from an early stage (winners of this race often race handy), this super-consistent stayer (yet to finish out of the first four in all of his 15 completed starts), he rates a sound each-way choice at his morning odds with some firms offering six places.

It’s quite a job sorted the wheat from the chaff in the complex affair and half the battle will also be hoping that the pilot on your selection keeps out the likely swamp around the inside, similar to the two-day meeting over Christmas. Without knowing of said riding plans/intrustions, THE WHITE MOUSE (best price 12-1) pushes her name into the mix on pure merit courtesy of her two back-to-back wins so far this season and it’s not an impossibility she can complete the hat trick. 

Extremely strong at the backend of an ultra-competitive and well-run mares’ contest after a 595-day break at Wincanton in November (race worked out well since), Lucy Wadham’ mare repeated the dose against similar opposition at Cheltenham a month later, once again seeing out the trip really well. Although she takes on the boys here this afternoon, she has no reason to feel intimidated about the task ahead based on her time figures and overall levels of form she’s produced and in a race likely to be run at a strong pace, this progressive seven-year-old will be in her element more than most.