Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

This opening sprint handicap looks a minefield at first glance but there’s more than a fair chance that the lightly-raced three-year-olds, JON RIGGINS (best price 13-2) and HEAVENLY POWER (best price 20-1) can cast aside their relative inexperience and prove they remain a step ahead of the assessor.

Both in the care of Edward Lynam, the Co Meath handler certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to nurturing young sprinting talent and the former has the potential to take his game to even greater heights further down the line. Eye-catching in a hot maiden behind the useful Quarantine Dreams (now rated 102) at Cork back in May, the son of Requinto ran a huge race against the usual track bias at Tipperary next time, easily coming out best of those who were drawn low, and it was after that cracking performance he joined new connections after a private deal. Given time to acclimatise in his new environment, the three-year-old gelding had his first experience of racing over today’s track and he went on proved an instant hit at the Co Kildare venue by scoring with any amount in hand. Although by no means off the scale based on his overall time figure a month, it’s interesting, however, his final three furlong split of 33.4 was significantly faster than both Group race winners Gustavus Weston (33.9 and Ebro River (35.6), strongly suggesting his rating at the time of 79 was likely to prove some way off the mark long term. Bumped up to 86 thereafter, that revised rating still provides Jon Riggins with plenty of scope for races of this nature in the short term and providing he ends up being on the right side of the draw (Provocateuse likely to set strong fractions far side), it would be slightly disappointing if he didn’t have something to say about the final outcome.

Unlike his new stable mate, the latter has always been under the wing of Edward Lynam and there also should be plenty more to come from this powerfully-built three-year-old. Not quite good enough for Jon Riggins here two starts ago over five furlongs, the Dark Angel gelding seems more at home over further when landing a maiden on his return to the Co Kildare venue next time and even though today’s examination will provide a totally different test in many aspects, he looks the type – with his high cruising speed – who has the skillset to cope. Drawn towards the nearside, it makes sense to keep options open and retain a selection birthed in a high number just in case there’s a pronounced bias towards the stands side rail.

PURPLE RIBBON (best price 10-3) created quite a favourable impression when scoring in ready fashion over the C&D on her debut and with the time figure complimenting the visual aspects of the display, Charlie Fellows’ filly looks sure to put up a bold bid in her defence of her unbeaten record.

Clearly a fairly buzzy character, hence the first time hood, the daughter of Gleneagles actually settled quite well at the Essex venue in the early stages and that calmness allowed her to come through strongly in the latter stages of what turned out to be a well-run affair. Just nudged out hands and heels in the closing stages, she left the impression she had a good deal more to offer and being the only horse in today’s field with previous track experience, that valuable knowledge can make all the difference in the final reckoning.

Winter Power once again proved that a flat track over the minimum trip is very much her bag with a scintillating victory in the Nunthorpe but whether she will prove as effective over today’s stiffer five furlongs remains to be seen – particularly as she’s likely to face stern competitive for early supremacy. As we’ve seen time and time again in these sort of races, proven track form can prove vital and with the set-up of the contest likely to suit a hold-up performer with a decent high cruising speed, MOONEISTA (best price 10-1) strikes as being one who should have every assistance to run a career high.

Although a very smart juvenile, she did only manage to win once in her first season, but a year further down the line and she really has begun to come of age. A game winner of a listed contest at Naas earlier in the campaign, she went on to run with great credit in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, finishing a close-up sixth despite being unsuited by heavy ground over six furlongs. Back under her optimum conditions here last time out, Jack Davidson’s filly made light work of a stellar field of older, more established sprinters such as Logo Hunter and Make A Challenge and with the time figure from that day going a long way to prove she belongs on the big stage, she’s fancied to cement that viewpoint on her return to the Co Kildare track.

CHIPSTEAD (best price 11-4) has really taken well to today’s course on the evidence of his last two victories and with connections no doubt having their eye on this prize for some time now, Roger Teal’s colt is fancied to complete the hat trick in the final itself.

Placed on his three previous outings over six furlongs, the son of Mayson has taken his game to a whole new level since dropped back to the minimum trip and with both speed figures of his two victories highlighting his qualities, there’s no obvious reason to desert him any time soon.

A cracking staying handicap to conclude Irish Champions weekend and Michael Halford appears to have a particularly strong hand sending both FINANS BAY (best price 10-1) and BEAR STORY (best price 22-1) to post with leading claims.

The former has yet to run a bad race in five starts at the Co Kildare venue and his latest effort in a quality Group 3 won by Earlswood a month ago suggests he’s as good as ever. Travelling up powerfully to the leaders two out, the son of Kodiac didn’t quite have the gear change of the front pair inside the final furlong, but nonetheless, to keep on to finish a close-up third in an extremely strong renewal of the Royal Whip Stakes has to go down as a notable effort on his cv. Runner-up in this race last season behind subsequent Ebor hero Sonnyboyliston, it’s safe to assume connections have had this as a firm target for the four-year-old ever since and with his career stats at today’s venue reading an impressive 42263, he rates a solid each-way proposition at the morning odds.

The latter has yet to win in five starts so far this term, but his body of work is pretty impressive despite not getting his head in front. Third in the keenly-contested Ulster Derby at Down Royal back in June, the son of Kodiac went one place better in a useful conditions contest at Fairyhouse next

time, but it’s his effort here last time out which really highlights his chance. Sent to battle in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes despite only being rated 93, he ran way beyond his station by finishing a close-up sixth and considering how strong he was at the line, a likely well-run handicap should prove right up his street.