Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

Gorki D’Airy is quite clearly going to have his supporters being trained by the man of the moment, Willie Mullins, but there’s a strong case to be made that SCHONE AUSSICHT (best price 5-2) has a better body of work and for that reason, she rates the value pick at over double the odds. 

A multiple winner on the Flat in France, the daughter of Pastorius has adapted nicely to her new vocation really well and she made a terrific start to the winter game when finishing a creditable fifth in a very hot mares’ novices’ event at Naas in December. Once again, Henry De Bromhead’s mare faced stiff competition on her latest outing at Fairyhouse and although she didn’t quite have the qualities to match the front pair, the form of the race in question looks strong in the context of today’s race. The winner for instance, Rosey’s Hollow, went on to lowered the colours of some of the best mares around in a Grade 3 back at the Co Meath venue next time out and is one of the leading fancies for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month. Despite beaten 13 lengths 30 days ago, she pleased with the way she stuck to her task and with today’s slightly better ground and sharper track set to suit, the six-year-old should provide her punters with affair crack of the whip. 

CAPODANNO (NAP) (best price 13-8) benefitted from the first-time tongue-tie when scoring with consummate ease at Clonmel last time out and he looks set to provide the all-conquering Willie Mullins with yet another winner. 

A shade disappointing when only third on his hurdling debut at the same track back in December, the son of Manduro returned to the Co Tipperary venue aided by the new equipment advised by Patrick Mullins and the gadget proved to be an inspired choice. Setting reasonable fractions from the off, the five-year-old chestnut gradually wound up the pace and by the time he had got to the last, his rivals were left toiling in his wake. Clocking the fastest final circuit time of the five hurdles races on the card, including the one posted by the smart mare Magic Daze, he left the impression there could be plenty more improvement to come and hailing from a stable that is virtually unstoppable at the moment, it would be a little disappointing if he doesn’t stamp his qualities on today’s field. 

BALLYMILLSY (best price 7-2) has yet to record a victory in four attempts but as all of his performances have been sprinkled with a good degree of promise, today’s contest represents one of his better opportunities to get off the mark. 

An encouraging fourth in a hot bumper on his only start last season, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding shaped well on his hurdling debut at Lingfield back in October when keeping on well into third behind the useful and subsequent winner, Threeunderthrufive. Upped in class to Grade 2 company at Cheltenham next time, the five-year-old was unsurprisingly outclassed when making little impression, but he quickly bounced back in a more realistic environment at Huntingdon a month later. Keeping on well late on to chase home the progressive Paddy’s Motorbike. The way he stayed on off the home turn at the Cambridgeshire venue hinted a step up in trip may see him to better advantage and even though he’s been asked to go up the thick end of a mile in one fell swoop, he comes from a family that strongly suggests he will be in his element.