Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

IOLANI (best price 3-1) proved he’s no back number when reacquainted with his beloved Kelso last time out and despite the drop back in trip providing a slightly different dimension to the task at hand, Dianne can prove equal to the job.

Available to back at 25-1 in the pre-race markets, the nine-year-old was supported at all rates down to 4-1 at the bell, and for those who partook in the gamble, they never really had too many anxious moments. Always travelling well, the son of Sholokhov moved up sweetly in contention two out and from that point onwards, he took total control, eventually pulling well clear late on. Time-wise, the race at the Borders venue was exceptionally fast for the grade and with the final circuit time also very healthy when you compare into the races run over shorter distance, it gives out plenty of hope that the selection will be just as at home over a well-run two miles (Beeno likely to go a good gallop).

NODOUBTABOUTTHAT (best price 9-2) arrives here holding by far and away the best recent form courtesy of her convincing success at Galway last time out and she should be played accordingly despite the complex nature of today’s heat.

A beaten favourite when not quite getting home over 2m4f at Cork, the daughter of Oscar was dropped back to the minimum trip at Ballybrit a month later and the decision to do so turned out to be an inspired choice as she came through very strongly in the closing stages to win going away. Posting an extremely rapid time for the grade, the race couldn’t have worked out any better subsequently either, with the likes of Dysart Diamond, Butterflyvespiere, Kitty Galore and Socially Distant all going on record notable successes next time out. Clearly well suited by a strongly-run two miles with some ease in the ground, everything looks set fair for the six-year-old to perform to her best and at top price 5-1, she rates a cast-iron each-way choice.

SIT DOWN LUCY (best price 9-2) looked to have the race at her mercy when unseating rider at the last at Ballinrobe on her most recent outing and with today’s opposition appearing well within her range based who she was likely to beat 23 days ago, Peter Fahey’s mare looks massively overpriced at her early morning quotes.

It’s probably fair to say the seven-year-old mare hasn’t always convinced where her jumping is concerned but what happened to her at the Mayo venue was just pure bad luck. Travelling all over her opponents going to the final flight, she appeared to jump the obstacle fine only for her pilot to lose her balance as she touched down on the other side. Had she stayed on her feet, she would have dished out a sound beating to the likes of Whatucallehr and Abbey Magic and with that pair both going on to run soundly in two string races since, it’s not unfair to suggest she would have run to a mark beyond the 120 range. Still only sitting on 113, she could have easily gone for another handicap, where she would look something of a shoo-in, but either way, she’s clearly better than her

current assessment and hailing from a yard going great guns at present, the daughter of Doyen can go a long way to make up for last time.

BUSSELTON (best price 10-3) dished out a sound beating to the hugely talented The Bosses Oscar in an above-average beginners chase for this time of year at Listowel last time out and with the speed figure from that race strongly suggesting it was a performance up to graded standard, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding should have little trouble coping with today’s rise in class.

Not quite reaching the heights of Grade 1 standard as a juvenile hurdler, the four-year-old gelding has made a deeper impact based on his first three starts over fences and following two solid runner-up spots behind a couple of Willie Mullins-trained novices, he finally gained his due rewards at the Co Kerry track 11 days ago. Setting out to make all the running, the son of Mastercraftsman soon had his big market rival, The Bosses’ Oscar, at full pelt and despite jumping to his right on occasions (straight as an arrow most of the time), he maintained a relentless gallop all the way to the line. Posting significantly the fastest time on the chase track that day, those new forceful tactics clearly worked a treat, so providing he can get into a similar rhythm up front here today, he’s likely to give his connections and supporters alike a good spin.

History has dictated that a low draw has proved crucial to the outcome of this Group 1 sprint (all but one winner drawn low in the last decade), so while accepting that the likes of Suesa, Romantic Proposal and Berneuil all have leading claims on form, all three have been handed stalls positions that will make life difficult for them to overcome.

Of the main players according to the market, last year’s winner, Glass Slippers, has come out more favourable, but even so, she’s not guaranteed to turn around recent form with A CASE OF YOU (best price 10-1) and at the prices, Ado McGuiness’ gelding rates a strong each-way alternative to those at the front end of the market.

Disappointing when too keen for his own good in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, similar to Suesa, the son of Hot Streak has left that poor effort well and truly behind him since and following a solid effort in a Group 3 at the Curragh on his next outing, he went on to post a career-high display at the same track a month later. Racing over the minimum trip for the first time, the three-year-old travelled well towards the rear in the early stages and then when produced with his effort inside the final two furlongs, he finished off his race best of all to split two of today’s main rivals, Romantic Proposal and Glass Slippers. Considering he had to row his own boat down the centre of the track and the other pair had the luxury of racing towards the favoured nearside rail, his performance deserved to be seriously upgraded and as he’s gone and bagged a much better draw today, it would come as no surprise if he were to prove the best of the trio. Moreover, it was good to see his galloping companion, Harry’s Bar, scoot home at Dundalk on Friday night and with connections stumping up the money to supplement him into the race at the final hour, hopefully their decision proves to be an inspired one. Soft ground is also seen as a plus to his chance.