Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

An afternoon where only those prepared to roll their sleeves up need apply and with Song Of The Hunter now out of the opener, it’s a race with a more wide-open feel.

One who should be fine on the heavy ground having raced at Ffos Las on his last two outings is BLUEBERG (best price 7-1) and he’s worth a speculator at the morning prices to see whether his opening mark of 112 in this sphere will see him to better advantage.

A no show on his debut in a bumper at Chepstow earlier this campaign, Evan Williams’ inmate improved dramatically to finish within the vicinity of the very smart Bear Ghylls on his opening gambit over hurdles (subsequent winner Gowel Road third) and there was also a good deal to like about his latest escapade back at the Welsh venue. Held up going well on the home turn of a competitive novices’ event, the son of Sageburg was in no way knocked about in the latter stages to finish a never-nearer fourth behind several above-average types and with the distinct likelihood of more to come as he gains further experience, today’s stiff two miles should offer a decent opportunity for the five-year-old to bring together all the knowledge he’s gathered so far to date.

MISTER MURCHAN (best price 11-4) put behind him a sticky round of fencing previously when excelling in all departments at Wincanton last time out and with his technique seemingly tidied up to a nicety, Richard Rowe’s gelding is fancied to continue on his merry way around a track that rewards bold jumping.

A big eye-catcher on his previous start over today’s C&D in a hot novices’ handicap back in December, the son of Westerner got rather unnerved by a mistake he made at the ditch in front of the stands first time around at Huntingdon next time out and, as a result, he could never really get back into a comfortable rhythm. Much better at the West County venue 28 days ago, the eight-year-old put in three prodigious leaps in the home straight when strongly pressed by Premiumaccess and that meant he was able to hold his main rival at bay and record a facile success. Additionally, his time figure was very good for the grade and with his ability to travel well in today’s conditions seen as a big positive, a similar round of jumping to last time should see him hard to beat.

Pipesmoker will no doubt be of significant interest to many, not only for today, but to see whether he can book his ticket to Cheltenham (entered in the Supreme and Ballymore), but it may not be all plain sailing for the jolly as he takes on two strong rivals in the shape of ROBIN’S DREAM (NAP) (best price 2-1) and Red Rookie.

The former is the lesser-known of the pair but that shouldn’t detract from his excellent performance at Newbury last time out when he gave odds-on backers of the much-vaunted Gallyhill, the fright of their lives. Nibbled at in the market beforehand having shaped well on his debut at Plumpton, Gary Moore’s gelding only failed by the tightest of margins to land the each-way punt, but it is significant at least that he, along with the winner, managed to pull well clear of the rest. Moreover, the time figure of the race in question was very good and with the sixth going on to endorse the form at Catterick on Tuesday, the son of Kayf Tara receives a confident vote to fly the flag for the Berkshire heat.