Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

DHOWIN (best price 17-2) has shaped as though he has been crying out for a step up in trip all season and with today’s galloping track also likely to suit, Warren Greatrex’s gelding should be capable of giving a solid account.

A winner of a novices’ hurdle at Hereford last season for old connections when stamina turned out to be his key component, the son of Yeats has performed with great credit since switching stables without managing to get his head in front and the signs are there for all to see on each of his last two starts that brighter days lie ahead. Firstly, he caught the eye keeping on well on the run-in when third in a conditional jockey’s handicap at Ascot back in December and then he bettered that effort by finishing his race off in similar style in the ultra-competitive Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton a month later. In his latest showing, in particularly, he was on his head and flat to the boards for most of the last circuit, which is a sure sign he needs the slightly slower rhythm of a three-mile race in order for him to travel better. Still on a mark of 123 and distinctly capable of more, the lightly-raced seven-year-old has plenty in his favour and should be backed accordingly.

LA CHANTEUSE (best price 9-2) arrives here right on top of her game and baring accidents, she looks primed to give her supporters a fun-packed five minutes or so.

Badly in need of the run on her first start for 277 days at Down Royal back in December, Shane Crawford’s mare proved a totally different kettle of fish next time out at Fairyhouse when running out an easy winner of a competitive maiden hurdle. Back on home soil for her latest escapade, she took on the boys in a much tougher-looking heat but the result was even more emphatic as she powered away from the useful On Eagles Wings, who’d previously lowered the colours of two subsequent winners at Naas. Good on the numbers at the Co Down venue 17 days ago and with her confidence sky-high, the daughter of Scorpion must have fine prospects of gaining some black type at a track where she’s gone well twice in the past.

As we saw yesterday, some of the big stars on the winter game with questions to ask can be overestimated in the market and while it would be a daft thing to suggest Clan Des Obeaux and Lostintranslation fall entirely into that category, the value option looks to be THE CONDITIONAL (best price 14-1) who is about as reliable as a Swiss clock.

A game winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, connections were desperate to go back to Prestbury Park to see whether the son of Kalanisi was good enough to take up his entry in the Gold Cup, but unfortunately the trials day meeting had to be scrapped and that abandonment has led to a change of plan. Although today’s conditions may be a little livelier than ideal, it’s worth noting he put up one of his best efforts in recent times on even quicker ground when an honourable third in the Ladbrokes Trophy behind the all-the-way winner Cloth Cap and considering that was his first outing for 263 days, his run can be upgraded. A brave runner-up in the Silver Cup Handicap at Ascot last time out, the form of that race was boosted yesterday with Regal Encore and Sub Lieutenant going well back at the same track and with his suitability for today’s galloping course proven, it would come as little surprise to this writer if the likeable and reliable nine-year-old were to easily outrun his rating.

A quality bumper to conclude the card and the two that make most appeal at the morning odds based on their solid debut performances on the clock are MIGHT I (best price 6-1) and BILL BAXTER (best price 8-1).

The former hails from a yard that has gone a little while without a winner, but that aside, the form of the horse itself rates second to none and providing he’s heathy enough to do himself justice, he should make a bold bid to back up the impression he created on his opening salvo in this better grade. Not shouted from the rooftops on his debut at Warwick, hence the 16-1 starting price, Harry Fry’s gelding was always moving better than his position in the market suggested and after leading going best turning for home, he stayed on strongly in the latter stages to score with plenty in hand. Despite running green late on, he still had too many guns for subsequent winner Fine Casting and hailing from a yard who has done particularly well in this race in the past, the son of Fame And Glory has the qualities to fly the flag for the Corscombe set-up.

The latter was also relatively easy to back on his appearance at Fakenham and he ended up being just as impressive, pulling 13 lengths clear of some well-regarded types around a track that wouldn’t necessarily been ideal for a chasing type by Milan. Despite his three-mile point-to-point background – and that’s where he’s likely to end up – he showed plenty of pace for a future chaser and with the form of his Irish debut between the flags also looking better by the day, Warren Greatrex might just have a useful individual in his midst. Whatever his fate today, he’s very much one for the future.