Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

Dreamsundermyfeet ran out an impressive winner over today’s course last time and, as a result, is bound to be a popular choice for many, but in the shape of GETAWAY BAY (best price 10-3), he faces a similar unexposed type who looks sure to provide him with more of a test than his six rivals did here last week.

Disappointing in three novice hurdles last season, Sue Smith’s gelding showed huge improvement on his return to action in June when runner-up in a competitive handicap at Market Rasen and he duly built on that promising effort by going one place better at Uttoxeter last time out. Always moving easily at the Midland track, the son of Getaway glided into the lead at the last and from that point onwards, he gradually worked his way further clear without being subject to a hard ride. Looking at his performance based on the numbers that day, his final circuit time worked out favourable compared to all the other five hurdle races on the card and with the distinct likelihood of even more to come, a chance is taken on the late-developing nine-year-old serving it up to his younger counterpart.

LEXINGTON KNIGHT (best price 11-2) has cut a rather frustrating figure so far to date, but equally, he’s done more than enough to suggest he has enough ability to win an ordinary maiden and with tonight’s contest not appearing the strongest, Richard Hannon’s colt has a decent chance of making it sixth time lucky.

A promising second on his debut at Doncaster back in March, the son of Night Of Thunder has gone on to finish in the frame on each of his four subsequent starts and if you are being ultra-critical, you could argue that he should have at least one victory in the bag by now. Just pipped in a head-bobbing finish at Carlisle (massive odds-on in the photo), he then proceeded to throw away any chance he might have had at Haydock last time out by giving his main market rival, Bringsy, a heathy advantage with a tardy start. However, as the speed figures of both races in question have been very smart, his painful defeats for his supporters do come with a degree of positivity and with his ability to handle soft ground seen as a massive plus point given how conditions have changed since they last raced here on Saturday, the consistent chestnut is at least likely to run his race more than most.