Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

GALACTIC GLOW (best price 4-1) had the door slammed in his face that many times at Sandown on his most recent start, he probably ended up with a bloody nose, and although it’s always a dangerous game backing unlucky losers in the long term, an exception can be made in his case.

Noted going easily approaching the two-furlong pole at the Esher track, Luke Dace’s gelding just needed a gap to appear in order to thrown down his challenge, but everywhere Tom Greatrex went with his mount, the gap continually closed. Finishing the race hard on the bridle, he left the impression he would have had a huge say in the final argument and the mere fact he gets another chance to race off the same mark against similar opposition is enough to sway the decision in his favour.

THE GETAWAY STAR (best price 7-4) faces her stiffest task to date up again the useful Ruaille Buaille, but on the evidence of what we saw of her at Limerick last time out, she has the game to more than hold her own.

Just one of the also-rans in that very good mares’ handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival back in February (Ruaille Buaille just ahead of her in eighth), the daughter of Getaway went on to chase home subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner, Black Tears, in a strongly-run event at Punchestown, underlining her talents to a greater degree. The combination of heavy ground at 2m6f proved a bridge too far on her next outing at Limerick but returning to the same track after a 74-day break and on better ground, Declan Queally’s mare turned out to be a totally different proposition. Setting out to make all the running, the six-year-old jumped superbly at the head of affairs and in maintaining a solid gallop throughout, she ended up posting a smart speed figure. Likely to be ridden in a similar fashion here this afternoon, today’s tight, right-handed track should play into her strengths and on account of that viewpoint, she rates the value pick down the front end of the market.

John Gosden landed this prize last season with an unexposed type (Mishriff) and in the shape of DERAB (best price 10-1), it wouldn’t come as the biggest shock in the world if the Newmarket maestro was at it again in this year’s renewal.

Promising on his only start at two, the son of Sea The Stars was well-supported to get off the mark on his seasonal bow at Newbury, but in the end, he had to play second fiddle to the very smart filly, Snow Lantern, who just found the better acceleration on the prevailing fast ground. Sent to Newmarket for his latest outing, the classy-looking colt always had matters in control and when giving the green light approaching the two-furlong marker, he was away in a flash. Winning with any amount in hand, he stopped the clock in a very smart time, and after that performance it’s just been a case of cementing which big race he will end up going for. The mere fact he makes the journey over to France rather than stay on home soil for something at Royal Ascot, strongly suggests

connections hold him in the very highest bracket and with a little bit of ease underfoot ideal for his biggest task so far to date, Enable’s half-brother can acquit himself with great credit.

The handicapper is doing his best to try and keep up with the progress of EAST ASIA (NAP) (best price 9-4), but he doesn’t seem to be having much joy, and Ian Williams’ in-form stayer is strongly fancied to complete his hat trick back at a track which saw him win with a bit to spare last time out.

A smooth winner at Newbury midway through last month, the son of Iffraaj was a warm order beforehand to follow up and despite the competitive nature of the contest at the Sussex venue, he ended up being just as impressive. Moreover, his winning time was the fastest on the card and allied to the fact he also ran the last three furlongs quicker than the 109-rated three-year-old Lone Eagle, it’s clear this improving stayer may have more up his sleeve than the handicapper has accounted for.