Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

HOWDYALIKEMENOW (best price 9-2) hasn’t manage to hit the frame in four starts so far to date, but at the same time, he has been set some pretty stiff tasks in quality maidens hurdles and with today’s opposition a little less taxing than of late, Declan Queally’s gelding can hopefully take centre stage.

After making the running before falling three out his debut at Cork, the son of Westerner was ridden in a totally different fashion at Naas next time and it resulted in him finishing his race off quite takingly from the rear of the field. In up to his eyeballs in the race won by Gaillard Du Mesnil at Leopardstown over Christmas, the five-year-old ran about as well as could be expected given the standard of opposition and time figure and it’s a contest that has stood the test since with so many coming out to boost the form. Back over two miles at Navan after a 55-day break last time, he was noted for the way he travelled through the early part of the race until not having the class to go with the main platers late on, but it was another performance to suggest the ability is there and today might be the day when all the stars align.

BYTHESAMETOKEN (best price 5-1) has been a pretty reliable and consistent performer for the thick end of two years now and he looks booked to go well again with plenty seemingly in his favour.

One of his main attributes is how well he travels through his races, but because of that trait, he sometimes is a hostage to fortune to how the race pans out – particularly in big fields. The last time he raced in a field size less than 12, however, he easily came out on top at Tipperary back in October and since then, he’s managed to hit the frame in two ultra-competitive handicaps. Last time out at Naas, Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding stayed on well from a long way back to chase home the well-backed Light Brigade, but as that effort very much signalled he’s right on top of his game at the moment, he makes plenty of appeal at his morning odds with the race likely to be set up to suit his run style.

MID DAY RUSH (best price 8-1) never got a chance to run to her best at Chelmsford last time out due to a selection of mitigating circumstances, but those issues don’t appear to have been factored into her price looking at the early morning tissues so it makes sense to take advantage.

Heading into the Essex venue 20 days ago following a career-defining success at the same track, Tony Carroll’s filly was soon on the back foot after being squeezed out at the start and from that point onwards, she could never get into a position whereby she could be a serious factor. Shaping as the five-furlong trip was also too sharp, stepping back up to six here today makes plenty of sense and having run well on her only previous visit to the Sunbury venue back in January, another bold bid looks on the cards hailing from a stable who keep churning out the winners of late.