Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

Four out of today’s field are all C&D winners in the past, so it’s quite a tricky one to solve, but as EQUIDAE (best price 11-2) has a better body of work at a slightly higher level than most of his rivals, he rates a strong choice to take advantage of an ease in grade.

A winner here the last time he raced over 7f against Class 6 opposition, Iain Jardine’s gelding has managed to score again in the intervening period, but it’s his performance at the Midland venue last time out which sparks the biggest interest. Up against the bang-in-form Daafr, the son of Eqiano did his level best to try and match strides with a horse who has taken his game to a whole new level and although he ended up coming out on the receiving end of a four length beating, his time figure strongly suggests he ran somewhere close to a personal best. Surprisingly dropped in the ratings despite that excellent display, he’s presented with the opportunity to race in 0-65 company on the fibresand since last August, so hopefully he will be in the sort of shape to grasp the chance with both hands.

S’ALL GOOD MAN (best price 4-1) hasn’t had a fair crack of the whip at tonight’s venue on his last three visits, but finally he has been presented with a fine chance to get off the mark and he rates a solid each-way choice to give it his best shot.

No match for the front-running Bluebeard’s Castle when given too much to do here three starts ago, Will Farrell’s gelding looked the most likely winner of a similar contest a month later only for the wide trip he endured causing him to fold unexpectedly late on (touched 1.01 for a place). Well-fancied in his bid to make amends last time out, the son of War Command proceeded to get completely wiped out at the very first bend when a rival smashed into him up his inside, so in the circumstances, he did really well to finish a close-up fifth. Finally, the five-year-old has been handed a favourable draw in stall one on his return to the Co Meath venue and if breaking well and holding his position in the early stages, he should have enough energy left in his legs to make a bold bid in the home straight.