Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

Given the day Willie Mullins had here yesterday, it would seem looking beyond any of his six representatives in this opening mares’ contest is tantamount to punting suicide, but before the monopolies commission is called into operation, MRS MILNER (NAP) (best price 8-1) might have a small say in the matter based on her impressive achievements of late.

A bad mistake at the very first flight in this race last year cost her any chance of her making a meaningful impact against the likes of Black Tears and Concertista and she’s better judged on her performance when runner-up to the smart Larquebuse on her return to the Dublin track a month later. Fitted with the first-time tongue-tie, Paul Nolan’s mare showed her versatility by accounting for a field of top-quality mares’ over two miles at the Galway Festival and her three subsequent runs have strongly suggested she remains in the same sort of nick. Runner-up to the classy On The Blind side when running over a full mile further at Cheltenham twos starts ago, she went on to run another blinder in the Pertemps Qualifier here over the Christmas period and despite that solid effort, she arrives here off the same mark. Looking at that race in isolation 41 days ago, it was notable for its strong final circuit sectionals compared to the Grade 1 won by Flooring Porter (six seconds quicker) and with today’s trip and ground likely to play into her strengths more than the three miles which just stretched her last time, the daughter of Flemensfirth rates a relatively strong risk-free each-way play with several firms offering fancy place terms.

Gordon Elliott has dominated this juvenile category for majority of the season and Quilixios is bound to be popular in his quest to book his ticket on the ferry for Cheltenham, but it’s also worth noting that Willie Mullins has been bolstering his four-year-old battalions of late and having decided to leave the much-vaunted French Aseel on the subs’ bench for the time being, YOUMDOR (best price 2-1) rates a more than viable alternative for the Closutton handler.

A useful performer on the level around listed class over 1m2f, the son of Youmzain has transferred pretty much all that ability to the winter game and he couldn’t have been any more impressive first time of asking at Gowran, clocking a decent time figure into the bargain. A big odds-on poke to confirm the impression he created that day at Fairyhouse last time out, he appeared to have matters in control until falling at the last when seemingly going better than the eventual winner, Teahupoo, and although it’s not ideal to come straight to a Grade 1 following a potentially confidence-knocking tumble, the mere fact his handler is willing to roll the dice, should be taken as a positive. Although there’s only six runners, there still should be a strong enough pace to allow him to settle and with his high cruising speed and smart turn of foot his two most significant weapons, hopefully he gets the chance to show them on the big stage.

Being a fully paid-up member of the Appreciate It fan club, it slightly goes against the grain to offer one up to beat Willie Mullins’ star two-miler, but as the saying goes, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat” so with that in mind, IRASCIBLE (best price 9-2) is the suggestion in the without the favourite market.

Thought good enough by connections to be pitched into Grade 1 company following a win in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel previously, Henry De Bromhead’s charge totally vindicated that bold policy by chasing home Appreciate It at the Dublin venue 42 days ago and he did so despite showing distinct novice tendencies throughout the two-mile journey. Clearly he will need to have tidied up his technique in the intervening period, but there’s no doubt the engine is under the chassis and with the likelihood of him knowing a good deal more this time around, the talented grey is fancied to come out clear second best at the very least.

IRASCIBLE – 1pt each-way (best price 9/2) without Appreciate It

This race last year was dominated by those who featured heavily in the Pertemps Qualifier run at the Christmas meeting and there’s a decent chance that lightning will strike twice as both DANDY MAG (best price 18-1) and UNEXPECTED DEPTH (best price 12-1) fly the flag for that quality three-mile handicap in this similar event.

The former left his previous outing at Naas well and truly behind him when staying on strongly off the pace to overhaul the well-backed The Bosses Oscar on the run-in and with the time figure good and the pair nicely clear of the rest, there’s no reason to doubt the form. Clearly well suited by a strongly-run affair on soft ground over a stiff track, the son of Special Kaldoun looks booked for another positive display.

The latter has a little bit to find with his old rival but given the form of his yard at the moment, it’s not insurmountable that he can bridge the gap. The way he travelled throughout the contest 41 days ago indicated he’s fully at home in these kind of big-field handicaps and with the ground likely to be similar to what he’s encountered on his last two starts, the progressive stayer should give another solid account.

Turn the clock back twelve months and TREACYSENNISCORTHY (best price 13-2) was continuing on his merry way up the hurdling ranks with his second victory over today’s course and with his latest success over fences strongly indicating he’s arriving back at the Dublin track in a similar mindset, Robert Widger’s powerful gelding rates a strong choice to take advantage of his current chase mark.

Making all to land the Pertemps qualifier at last year’s Christmas festival, the nine-year-old had the first two in the final behind him that day in the shape of Sire Du Berlais and The Storyteller, so it was no great surprise to see him repeat the dose a month later over the same C&D. Slightly out of sorts since returning to action back in September, the son of Beneficial bounced back to his best with a bang at Cork last time out and despite a bad mistake at the last, he posted a big number in defeating subsequent winner Atlantic Shore. A bold-jumping front runner well suited to galloping tracks such as today’s, an attacking ride over this sort of trip should provide his supporters with five minutes of fun.

Willie Mullins took most of the plaudits on day one of the Dublin Racing Festival and with five set to go to post in the concluding mares’ bumper, it’s massive odds-on the Closutton handler will end the meeting on a high. Of the quintet, TAKE TEA (best price 3-1) was by some way the most impressive winner coming into today’s affair and she makes plenty of appeal at her morning odds to gain the stable bragging rights.

Well-touted prior to making her debut at Naas, the six-year-old mare always looked in total control and without being resorted to anything like a hard ride, she readily came clear of her field in the style of a classy recruit. Snapped up by JP McManus within a month of that impressive success, one of the biggest owners in the game was also taken enough to get his cheque book out and despite the fact she faces several from her own stable with similar profiles, the daughter of Flemensfirth can retain her unbeaten record