Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

PASSIONOVA (best price 9-1) created quite a favourable impression on her debut here 17 days ago and with today’s extra furlong likely to see her in an even better light, George Baker’s filly can reward each-way support.

Slow away and green in the early stages, the daughter of Bated Breath understandably got slightly taken off her legs racing downhill for the first time, but once she got around the tight bend and into the home straight, she picked up takingly to finish on the coat tails of the main players - including the well-fancied Mahale who had the benefit of loads of experience to call on. Likely to be much sharper in all departments on her return to the Surrey track, hopefully a better break - resulting in her being further up the field - should see her be a good deal more competitive at the business end.

STOPNSEARCH (NAP) (best price 5-2) has been more than a shade unfortunate on his last two starts at today’s track and he’s afforded another chance to deservedly return to winning ways.

A big eye-catcher on his first attempt over 1m2f here after an 85-day break a month ago, the four-year-old was well-supported to back up the impression he created and it was by only the tightest of margins he failed in his bid. Noted going well in behind a healthy pace, the son of War Command was poised to strike as the field turned for home and even though he ran on strongly all the way to the line, he ended up being just done on the bob in a driving finish by Noble Peace. As far as the numbers of the race were concerned, they come out well for the grade, and with today’s contest no greater in terms of overall competitive, he looks almost certain to give a solid account.

AHESTA BERO (best price 25-1) caught the eye with the way he finished off his race here last time out and with the likelihood of Ismail Mohammed’s gelding being a good deal sharper both mentally and physically, he looks capable of outrunning his rather dismissive morning odds.

Disappointing out in the desert for Simon Crisford last season, the son of Dubawi subsequently switched barns in the off period and he came back to action 302 days later to contest a viciously-competitive 1m2f handicap. Drawn wide, the five-year-old couldn’t get as much cover as he would have liked in the early stages and, as a result, he found himself in a poor position turning for home, but despite those deficiencies he finished off his race to really good effect to almost scoop the pot in the dying strides. A tall, rangy grey gelding with a long stride, hopefully he can be put into a position whereby he’s within striking distance turning for home and if so, he has more than enough game to cause a bit of a shock.

A decent race to play in given there are no Godolphin horses to worry about and of those who have the potential to take advantage of that scenario, DARK SILVER (best price 6-1) makes the most appeal at the morning prices.

A frustrating maiden when trained in the UK by Ed Walker, the four-year-old made an immediate impact for new connections out in the desert when scoring at Jebel Ali following a 118-day break. Trying over today’s C&D for the first time on his next outing, the son of Dark Angel acquitted himself with great credit when running on strongly off the back of a good pace to finish a never-nearer second behind the useful Taamol, who had the benefit of racing on the faster strip down the middle. Back to Jebel Ali and he once again ran with great credit up in trip over seven-furlongs before finding the minimum distance way too sharp for him last time out. That said, he did keep on nicely from off the speed eight days ago and it was a performance which strongly suggested he remains well enough in the groove to rebound back with a vengeance over his optimum trip.