Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

Some smart early season juveniles on show based on the time figures and with two of sharper sorts arriving here to clash in this listed prize in the shape of EBRO RIVER (best price 11-2) and Chipotle, the vote just goes in favour of the former on account of his proven ability to handle soft ground. 

Restless in the stalls and slow away on debut at Newmarket, the chestnut colt worked himself into a challenging position at halfway but unfortunately he ended up getting no sort of run in the final two furlongs and he had to settle for an honourable mention in dispatches. Well-backed to make up for that unlucky run at HQ on his latest outing at Doncaster, the son of Galileo Gold did provide his supporters with a few anxious moments through greenness but ultimately he proved to be much the best, and it was a case of job done. Being by a sire who won a 2000 Guineas and St James’ Palace Stakes on soft ground, it came as no surprise to see him handle plenty of give under foot on Town Moor and with tonight’s conditions likely to be pretty similar to what they were 12 days ago, this strong stayer at the trip should relish this stiff five furlongs better than most. The only negative attached to his chance might stem from the fact he’s bagged the one box over on the now un-favoured part of Sandown sprint course, but hopefully Buick can hook him off the rail at some point and make his challenge more towards the middle of the track. 

HISTORY WRITER (NAP) (best price 5-2) has been plying his trade at a much higher level than what he faces here this evening in recent times and returning to a track where he has gone particularly well in the past, David Menuisier’s gelding is fancied to shrug aside top weight. 

Uncompetitive on his first two starts this season when the fast conditions were far from ideal, the son of Canford Cliffs ran with a good deal more encouragement in the Victoria Cup at Ascot on his latest start and that altogether better performance can be largely put down to soft ground. Switched early from his low draw, the ground he forfeited could never quite be quite overcome, but at the same time, he did finish his race off with plenty of purpose to sit just in behind the main players at the line and considering the trip was also short of his best, his effort can be upgraded. Dropped down to a rating of 93, the six-year-old gets a chance to race in Class 3 company for the first time in two years and having won both of his today’s C&D races when there has been plenty of ease in the ground, he rates a confident choice to make it three.