Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

I wouldn’t touch these sort of events with a bargepole, but it’s very rare to see a 150-rated hurdler lining up on the all-weather but that’s the case here with HONEST VIC (best price 5-1) and for that reason he’s just too good to miss – especially at the morning odds.

Henry Daly’s gelding has always shown a fair level of ability right from the start but he’s really come of age in the last 12 – 18 months, taking his game from good solid, top-end handicapper to Graded level. His scintillating victory in a hugely-competitive handicap at Cheltenham on his seasonal return strongly hinted he was ready for something more substantial, so it was no surprise to see connections pitch him in against the likes of Thyme Hill and Paisley Park in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury next time to see whether he fits in terms of future plans. Although he ended up finishing well-beaten in the end, the race didn’t go according to plan as the 10-year-old was left to row his own boat in the early stages when nothing else wanted to make the running and he was rather a sitting duck for the genuine Grade 1 performers at the business end. That said, to only get beaten 12 lengths against the very best wasn’t a bad effort in the circumstances and with today’s contest over 2m2f on a slow surface likely to take some getting, his proven stamina should come into play against several who aren’t guaranteed to get the trip.

A cracking staying handicap bringing together a whole host of in-form, progressive types and of those with the potential to take their game to a higher level, RAFIOT (NAP) (best price 5-2) could turn out to be the pick of the pile.

A big improver since connections have stepped him up in trip, Gary Moore’s gelding didn’t have to wait too long to reap maximum results when he scored on his second attempt over 1m4f at Lingfield back in December. A shade unlucky on his next outing when getting going far too late, the son of Elusive Quality was tried on today’s surface for the first time on his latest encounter and he proved an instant hit on the fibresand. Sent off a well-backed second favourite, the five-year-old was always travelling comfortably in behind the pace set by his main market rival Bay Of Naples, and when the front runner waved the white flag turning for home, he was left to come alone virtually unchallenged. Despite being eased down considerably in the last furlong, this lightly-raced performer still managed to clock a very impressive speed figure and with a style of racing and pedigree which strongly hints at him being equally as effective over today’s longer trip, Rafiot is given a vote of confidence to confirm that viewpoint.