Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

QUINTA DO MAR (NAP) (best price 6-4) won a strong race of its kind at Ludlow last time out, so even though he faces two useful opponents here this afternoon, he rates a confident choice to confirm the impression he created at the Shropshire track.

Up against the well-backed Qualismart and above-average previous winner Dobryn 20 days ago, Ben Pauling’s had little trouble going the pace set by the free-going favourite and when the front runner fainted approaching the third last, he picked up the pace and carried the baton all the way to the line. In seeing off the more conservatively ridden Dobryn, the son of Califet showed extremely game battling qualities and it came as no great surprise also that considering the strong gallop from the outset the overall time figure was very smart for a novice hurdle. Prior to that solid display, the six-year-old has shaped with a huge amount of promise in a similar event over today’s course when lack of a run for 367 days took its toll late on, but now race-fit and levels of improvement maximised, he should turn out to be a totally different proposition returning to the Lincolnshire venue with all guns blazing.

FANTASTIKAS (best price 9-4) finally delivered the goods at Fontwell last time after a series of frustrating placed efforts and this classy-looking six-year-old can take advantage of what appears a more than favourable mark on handicap debut.

Runner-up on his first two starts over hurdles against a couple of above-average sorts, the son of Davidoff then had the misfortune to bump into the very smart Threeunderthrufive (sixth in the Albert Bartlett) when upped in trip at Musselburgh next time. Pushing the short-priced favourite all the way to the line at the Scottish venue, he ended up posting a very useful speed figure in defeat and it was good to see him carry that level of form forward to his latest outing, making relatively light work of a 12-strong field. Still rated 128 despite his recent exploits, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding is now pushed back up towards a trip in-keeping with his profile and this really likeable chasing type is expected to make a bold bid at a level that should prove well within his range.

A NEW SIEGE (best price 9-1) has run much better since undergoing a wind operation last year and with the form of her recent third at Wincanton working out a treat in recent days, Nigel Hawke’s mare is worth a small interest.

Running better than her finishing position suggested in a hot jumper’s bumper at Kempton on her first outing for 179 days, the daughter of New Approach was back over hurdles for her latest venture and she once again caught the eye with the way she finished off her race. Momentarily outpaced as the field quickened off the home turn, she impressed with the way she kept on in the closing stages to claim a small slice of the pie and with the winner and fourth home both scoring in decent fashion in the last few days, it’s clear the form is fairly useful for the grade. Likely to be more comfortable knowing she can breathe properly now, the six-year-old is fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time just to keep her on the ball at crucial parts of the race and with today’s extra distance also likely to help, there’s more than a fair chance she will have say in the eventual outcome.