Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

Official have called for another inspection at 10am to whether the temperature rises sufficiently enough for racing to take place at the Durham track, but hopefully the course will receive the green light as MARTINHAL (best price 2-1) looks to have a decent chance of enhancing his trainer’s fine record at today’s venue (6-18 since 2016).

Winner of a bumper at huntingdon last season, the son of Westerner was only better than average on his first two starts over hurdles this term, so a trip to the operating theatre was called upon in order to try and resurrect a wind issue which had seemingly been holding him back. Having his first outing since the surgery (cauterised palate) in November, the six-year-old was pitched in quite a hot little raced at Exeter, up against the likes of Karl Phillipe and Gladiateur Allen, but he came through with flying colours, getting the better of the well-regarded pair after a titanic tussle down the long home straight. Befitting a race of its quality, it was not surprising to see the time figure back up the visual impression of the contest and with the third going on to land a decent prize at Ascot since, there’s little reason to doubt the strength of the form. Indeed, given the subsequent winner is now rated 131, Martinhal appears to have done well to keep his initial handicap mark of 123, and with today’s testing conditions bound to suit this strong, galloping type, it would be disappointing to all concerned if he doesn’t make the 311-mile trip up north pay.

NEVER MISTABEAT (NAP) (best price 2-1) tore apart a field similar to this on his latest outing here 12 days ago and providing the blinkers have the desired effect for the second time of asking, Jarlath Fahey’s gelding looks to have a gilt-edged opportunity to prove his first career victory was no fluke.

Said to be quite a lazy type by his trainer, the son of Elzaam didn’t respond as well as anticipated for cheekpieces on his first two starts at the Co Lough venue, so a change of headgear was introduced a month ago and the results were nothing short of spectacular. Pinged out of the gates from his wide draw, the four-year-old was soon travelling well in the hands of Wayne Lordan and then when unleashed with his challenging effort with two furlongs to run, he powered clear of his toiling rivals to score by five lengths. Not only did he manage to clock a much faster speed figure than the second division of the 1m2f handicap that day, which contained one of today’ rivals, Pineapple Express, his furlong-per-furlong time worked out to be the quickest on the eight-race card and considering how strong he was at the business end, one would like to think he should have no problem with today’s step up in trip. Although drawn wide again this afternoon, the longer run to the first bend should help his pilot get into a nice position just on the shoulders of the leaders and if, as anticipated, he’s still moving sweetly turning for home, his useful turn of foot for the grade should enable him to seal the deal.