Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

A tricky little puzzle to solve but it’s one where TADREEB (best price 9-4) could easily come out on top based on recent evidence.

A smooth winner at Thirsk three starts ago, Mark Johnston’s inmate has the unwanted tag of been a beaten favourite twice since, but as his latest effort came at the hands of two horses who fought out the finish at Ripon yesterday, it’s a little easier to understand the reasons for his defeat. Moreover, the time figure at the Yorkshire track was also very strong for the grade, and now returning to his own age category, the Oasis Dream colt has a chance of keeping his trainer’s fine record in this contest.

FLINT HILL (NAP) (best price 3-1) has been in tremendous form throughout the summer under both codes and following another cracking effort in an ultra-competitive two-mile handicap at York last time out, Ruth Jefferson’s gelding is fancied to go well again over a C&D where he was successful two starts ago.

Proving his stamina over today’s stiff track back in June, the son of Excelabration wasn’t without support in his bid to follow up on the Knavesmire a month later and although he failed in his bid to do so, he still came out of the race with his head held high. Just outrun by two improving five-year-olds in the closing stages, he kept on strongly all the way to the line and with a return to his optimum conditions seen as a huge plus, the five-year-old chestnut deserves to be played accordingly.

CASANOVA’s (best price 12-1) connections would have hoped for a slightly better return on their investment since leaving John Gosden, but there have been one or two positive signs along the way and those bits of encouragement are used to fashion a case out for Ado McGuinness’ gelding here this afternoon.

Rated as high as 97 when in peak form two years ago back in the UK, the son of Frankel hasn’t registered a win since changing location, but he did run a good deal better than his finishing position suggested at Galway last time out, so he’s not without hope of landing a long-awaited success. Held up towards the rear of a competitive mile handicap at Ballybrit, the five-year-old came home with plenty of purpose despite not getting the clearest of runs in the latter stages and as the time figure of the race was pretty decent, his performance indicates he’s definitely going in the right direction. An eye-catcher on his only previous outing at today’s course over a trip short of his best, he certainly shapes as though he may require much further nowadays and from a good draw, he has a decent chance of outrunning his morning odds.

DYNALI (best price 5-1) has already proven his suitability to today’s track with a win here back in May and having taken pretty well to the first-time visor in a strongly-run affair at Nottingham last time out, all roads lead to him going well again on his return to the all-weather.

Third on his first outing at the Essex venue last year, Ian Williams’ gelding made no mistake at the second time of asking when staying on strongly in the closing stages after being hassled for the early lead. As the time figure indicated, there was no disgrace in finishing a respectable third to the rapidly-improving Yagood (should have won back at the same track this week) at the Midland venue last time out and with the five-year-old being the only previous C&D winner in the field, he’s likely to make that all-important experience count.