Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

RICKY LANGFORD (best price 6-1) has maintained a solid level of form throughout the summer jumping period and with his latest exploits at Punchestown suggesting Philip Rothwell’s gelding is showing no signs of stopping his progress, he rates an interesting contender now switching his attentions back to fences.

Better known for his exploits over hurdles, the seven-year-old did make an impact on just his fourth start over fences at Ballinrobe a month ago and given the manner of display at the Mayo venue, it certainly won’t be the last. Always travelling well that day, the son of Alkaadhem breezed to the front on the approach to the last and in no time at all, he was soon in an unassailable lead. Clearly at home in and around the two-mile journey with plenty of ease underfoot (missed an engagement at Down Royal last week due to unsuitable ground), today’s conditions should prove ideal and having proven his current wellbeing with another solid effort against an in-form rival over hurdles last time out, a positive display should be forthcoming from this consistent performer.

CAESAR ROCK (best price 4-1) has to be credited for putting up such a brave fight after being asked to race around the unfavourable inside of the track at Wexford last time out and with a little more forethought from today’s different pilot, Mouse Morris’ gelding has every chance of getting off the mark.

A respectable sixth behind the likes of Holymacapony and Gaillard Du Mesnil in an above-average maiden hurdle at Punchestown early last season, the son of Mahler shaped with equal amount of promise on three subsequent starts, each time suggesting he may do better in time. Off the track for 186 days when reappearing at the Newtown Road venue, the five-year-old was sent off one of the main fancied to beat what looked a fairly average field and although he ended up being a little disappointing in his quest to justify favouritism, his defeat was partly not down to his lack of ability. Unfortunately for him and his supporters, his pilot on the day fell into the trap of so many others by sending his mount around the chewed up ground around the inside and, as a result, he couldn’t quite fend off two who were given a more sensible ride away from the swamp out wide on the better ground. Despite being asked to work much harder than the other pair, he did manage to keep on well enough to finish a close-up third and with that effort likely to have at least done the job of getting his fitness levels up to speed, this chasing type can hopefully go close in a race not exactly overflowing with talent.

BARON DE MIDLETON (NAP) (best price 9-4) bumped into an above-average performer in the shape of Minella Trump over today’s C&D last time out and having come out of that tussle with a good deal of credit, Brian Ellison’s gelding looks to have a fine opportunity of going one place better.

A useful 120-rated hurdler, the son of Brian Boru has still amazingly yet to register a victory over fences in eight starts, but as most of his efforts have taken place against pretty smart northern novice chasers, most of his defeats can be easily explained. He has, however, been knocking more loudly on the door of late and his performance against a more race-fit rival here 18 days ago has to go down as one of his best – certainly based on the time figures. Despite the small field, the eventual winner ensured the pace was solid from the outset and try as he might, he just couldn’t quite get to grips with a classier rival in the final half a mile of the contest. That said, it was certainly something to build on for the coming months and having proven twice now that today’s sharp track suits him down to the ground (previous winner over hurdles), the eight-year-old may just get his turn to shine off what now looks a lenient mark (subsequently dropped 5lb).