Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

OFF YOUR ROCCO (NAP) (best price 13-8) created a big impression when he lowered the colours of some smart summing jumping types at Listowel last time out and with today’s extra trip looking like it will suit, Gordon Elliott’s gelding is strongly fancied to continue his progress.

A winner of bumper and novice hurdle on his first two starts, the son of Shirocco went on to prove disappointing on his next outing at the Galway festival, a performance for which couldn’t really be explained by all concerned. Fitted with the cheekpieces for his latest adventure, the five-year-old took a good deal more interest from an early stage and off what turned out to be very strong fractions set by Hammersmith, he came through powerfully to pull well clear of the well-touted Farout. Clocking a big figure in the process, the way he stayed on in the closing stages strongly hinted he would prefer going up in trip rather than continuing over two miles and despite the only slight reservation being today’s softer ground, he still rates a confident choice.

TERESA MENDOZA (best price 13-2) has just been on the periphery of the action so far this season, but other than one slightly below-par run at Deauville, all her performances have been of a high enough standard to suggest she’s likely to go very close to finally getting her head back in front in a race of this nature.

Not quite at her very best over today’s C&D two starts ago, she ran much better than her finishing position suggested at Ayr last time out, coming well on top of those who raced towards the nearside group. Back to her favourite venue where her six-furlong stats read 12324, the daughter of Territories looks almost certain to go well for a trainer coming into a nice bit of form during the backend of the campaign.

In keeping with the UK version, the winners of this staying prize often have a bit of form in the National Hunt ranks and the two that fit that criteria neatly and, just as importantly, stand out at the morning prices, are DUNVEGAN (best price 16-1) and LYNWOOD GOLD (best price 33-1).

The former has yet to register a victory in four starts on the Flat, but he ran extremely well in a hot handicap at Leopardstown recently and could be open to even further improvement over today’s trip. The way he kept on in the latter stages certainly suggested he wanted a stiffer test, and with him having plenty of top quality form in the National Hunt sphere under both disciplines in and around Graded level, a mark of 79 on just his second outing in handicap company should see Pat Fahy’s grey outrun his morning odds over track and ground that will suit.

The latter needs a little more explaining, but he’s also pretty useful at his best and he could be type to catch at the first time of asking since switching to Henry De Bromhead. Looking a little out of sorts when we last saw him at Tramore, he’s better judged on his excellent fifth place in the big amateur rider’s handicap at the Galway festival, when he came from a country mile back to finish on the coat tails of the main players. Often a slow starter from the gates, that fact there are no stalls in operation for this race will prove a massive help and with him also holding plenty of previous solid form at today’s track, the six-year-old, possibly boosted from a new lease of life, has the capabilities to spring a bit of a surprise.

LOINGSEOIR (best price 4-1) is better known for his exploits over further than a mile, but he’s shown on his last two starts he’s more than capable of holding his own over shorter and with today’s set-up likely to suit his run style, Michael Grassick’s gelding can resume winning ways.

A dual scorer earlier in the season, the five-year-old rather lost his way until showing a bit more promise at Gowran two outings ago and he followed up that effort with an even better display at Tipperary last week. Once again held up towards the rear, the son of Henrythenavigator still had loads to do as the field turned for home, but despite racing on the slowest part of the track up the home straight, he finished off best of all to claim the runner-up spot late on. Likely to be switched off towards the rear again, hopefully he gets going early enough to allow him to be a big player in the latter stages.

As ever, a competitive field assembled for this sought-after prize and the two have the most persuasive claims are CHATHAM STREET LAD (best price 5-1) and ONTHEROPES (best price 4-1).

The former needs no second introduction having blown away a big field at Cheltenham last season and it was good to see him round off the campaign in terrific style by beating a decent field over three miles. Proving he stayed the trip really well that day, a return to the same C&D on similar going seems the logical starting point for the season and hailing from a shrewd outfit that are likely to have him singing and dancing after a break, Michael Winters’ gelding can go close to defying top weight.

The latter hasn’t been seen out since finishing runner-up to the mighty Monkfish at Fairyhouse last November but providing he’s fairly straight after his enforced layoff, a repeat of that level of form means he will be dangerous off an opening handicap mark of 141. Not only has his stable mate gone on to prove himself top class over fences with a rating of 163, but the likes of Sams Profile, Diol Ker and Escaria ten all went on to prove the form to be rock solid throughout the rest of the campaign, so despite the son of presenting lacking when it comes to experience, he might have sufficient amount of class to overcome that slight negative.