Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

EJTILAAB (best price 11-4) ran about as well as could be expected having received a brutal trip from a wide draw here last time and now presented with the golden ticket from the inside gate, a better overall outcome is anticipated.

Although it’s not impossible to win from a double-figure stall on the Roodee, everything has to go right in order for a horse to do so and having taken an early decision to go forward from box 10 of 11 at the big meeting here 22 days ago, there’s was always a fair chance Ian Williams’ gelding would pay for those exertions late on. True enough, the five-year-old ran out of petrol having been the only one able to go with the free-going Dulas in the first half a mile, but he still kept on quite well for fifth and considering the overall time figure of the race, his performance still counts as one of the better ones of his career. Indeed, the form couldn’t have worked out any better with the likes of the runner-up, third and sixth (Another Batt) winning since and providing Richard Kingscote pops out with a view just to track the pace around the inside, there’s a decent chance the son of Slade Power will be a major contender for top honours at the business end.

COUSIN HARRY (best price 15-2) caused a bit of a stir when a shock 25-1 of the first race of the Punchestown Festival a month ago, but with the numbers from that ultra-competitive affair suggesting it was a fair race for the grade, Philip Rothwell’s gelding is fancied to take high rank in this slightly tougher contest.

A good winner at Navan back in March, the son of Resplendent Cee was just too keen for his own good on his next start at Fairyhouse and, as a result, he ended up not seeing out the 2m4f journey. Given a more patient ride back in trip at the Co Kildare last time out, he made smooth headway off the home turn to hold every chance going to the last and staying on well, he eventually got the better of the well-fancied Light Brigade close home. Only just slightly slower than both Echoes In Rain and Jazzaway on the overall time figures over the same C&D, it’s interesting that his circuit time from the one going away from the stands to the line worked out better than those two talented individuals – suggesting he ran way beyond a horse with a rating of 100. Up 9lb as a result, he still might, however, still have a bit of room for improvement and having run well on all three visits to today’s track (unlucky not to win his first race here when falling at the last) there’s no reason to believe anything other than another positive display is on the cards hailing from his in-form stable.

The fitting of cheekpieces seemed to have had the desired effect where MILITARY MISSION (best price 2-1) is concerned and Hugo Palmer’s grey rates a confident vote to continue his progression off what appears to be a favourable mark on his first start in handicap company.

Placed on all three starts as a juvenile, the son of Mastercraftsman underwent a gelding operation in the winter and following a 172-day break, he reappeared to run a solid race in defeat at the hands of Camelot Tales at Redcar. Racing on soft ground for the first time and more aggressively ridden at the Wiltshire venue a month later, he ended up running his 11 opponents into the ground with a brutal display of front running and with the overall speed figure pointing towards his performance as carrying quite a bit of substance, he’s done well to come out of that contest on a similar rating. Seemingly enjoying the switch back track 16 days ago, there’s every chance he will be equally at home around today’s tight turns and providing he pings the gates and gets somewhere near the lead early doors, this honest galloper is likely to have a huge say in the outcome.

JEMIMA P (NAP) (best price 15-8) posted a useful set of figures on the clock when scoring with any amount in hand at Worcester last time out and with today’s flat, left-handed circuit almost identical in most aspect to the Midland venue, Emma Lavelle’s mare looks set to continue her rise up the chasing ranks.

A gutsy winner on her first start since wind surgery over fences at Exeter back in March, the seven-year-old failed to replicate the same level of form at Stratford next time out on account of a poor round of jumping. Seemingly unsuited by the combination of being held up and the sharp nature of the track that day, connections made much more use of her 23 days ago and that inspired decision reaped maximum rewards as she totally dominated her 15 rivals throughout. Additionally, the daughter of Jeremy ran the fastest furlong-per-furlong time on the eight-race card, so with the likelihood that she will be ridden with a similar forceful approach in mind, she is likely to prove very hard to peg back on ground to suit.