Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

Time may tell that GOODBYE SOMEDAY (best price 10-3) bumper into a very smart novice in the shape of Grand Paradis at Thurles last time out and with today’s contest, on balance, probably a shade easier, John Kiely’s gelding is fully expected to run her usual solid race.

A model of consistency since joining the hurdling ranks, the son of Stowaway has worked his way up to Graded level and although he was beaten fair and square in what turned out to be a pretty salty race at the Co Tipperary venue, he was the one responsible for the strong time figure having led the field a merry dance from flag fall. Moreover, he was entitled to have needed the run after a 116-day break and with today’s tiff two miles more within his compass, the seven-year-old can further enhance his reputation.

BALLYMILLSY (NAP) (best price 11-4) showed plenty of determination when scoring over today’s C&D last time out and this progressive young stayer is taken to continue his climb up the ladder returning to the scene of his breakthrough triumph.

A creditable runner-up to the useful Paddy’s Motorbike in a well-run affair at Huntingdon previously, the son of Lucarno shaped as though he would require a stiffer test in future on the evidence of his display at the Cambridgeshire track and so he was sent over a trip almost the thick end of a mile further to see whether that was the case 27 days ago.

Settled towards the rear in the early stages at the Midland venue, the five-year-old gradually worked his way through the field to find himself challenging for lead turning for home and despite looking as though he might have to play second best in a ding-dong dual with Ballymagroaty Boy, he showed plenty of guts to outstay his chief threat on the run-in. Clocking a fair time figure considering the conditions, connections have been wise to allow him plenty of time to recover from that gruelling affair and with the form of the race given a timely boost with the Ratfacemcdougal winning at Hereford yesterday, there seems no logical reason why this likeable chasing type won’t go close in his bid to follow suit.