Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

BREGUET BOY (best price 4-1) has raced exclusively over today’s C&D since witching his attentions to hurdling and in a race where fine margins are likely to make the difference, his track knowledge might prove the determining factor.

Off the mark at the first attempt back in November, Keith Dalgleish’s gelding has run to a fair standard on three subsequent visits and following two solid placed efforts against stern opposition, he took advantage of a slight ease in grade on his latest start. Noted travelling well from halfway, the son of Requinto made his move approaching the third last and from that point onwards, he took a firm grip of the situation to pull nicely clear. Although he proved conclusively that day he handles soft ground well enough, he’s just as effective on a quicker surface and with today’s contest likely to be run at a sound clip from the start, this consistent and likeable juvenile looks sure to play a part.

MY BROTHER MIKE (best price 9-2) had to be marked up as an unlucky loser at Wolverhampton last week and even though today’s contest represents a little more in terms of class, John Stimpson’s gelding is worth keeping on side.

A back-to-back winner last August, the son of Bated Breath underwent wind surgery after several indifferent performances and since that procedure, his results have taken a turn for the better. A cosy winner at Southwell earlier this month, the seven-year-old was in the process of running huge race again at the Dunstall Park venue six days ago when his momentum was seriously checked just over a furlong out. Whether he would have won or not is open to debate, but either way, it’s clear of the evidence of that display he still remains in excellent shape and it just boils down to whether today’s venue plays into his strengths or not.

NEVER MISTABEAT (best price 7-2) left the distinct impression here last time he still remains a horse ahead of the handicapper despite his narrow-margin defeat and he’s fancied to back up that theory on his return visit to the Co Lough venue.

A wildly-impressive winner over tonight’s C&D back in January when the blinkers really worked the oracle, Jarlath Fahey’s inmate was stepped up in trip to 1m4f a month later in his bid to follow up and although the project ended up in failure, he did more than enough to suggest his previous success was no fluke. Travelling keenly from the outset, the son of Elzaam gave the impression he was always doing a bit too much in behind fairly tepid fractions and as it materialised, he couldn’t quite get the job done after sweeping to the front and going clear over two furlongs from home. Dropping back down to what should turn out to be his optimum trip this evening, this easy-moving four-year-old makes plenty of appeal in what appears a modest race on paper.