Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

OUTBACK FLYER (best price 7-2) responded really well to the first-time hood at Galway last time out and a repeat of that taking display should be good enough to ensure Peter Fahey’s mare plays a significant role in this similar contest against her own sex.

A complete no-show in two bumpers for connections both old and new, the daughter of Jet Away was sent over hurdles in seek of some sort of encouragement and on the evidence of what we saw of her at Ballybrit, there clearly is a decent engine hidden away under the bonnet. Held up towards the rear with a view to get her settled, she made headway towards the leaders approaching two out and then for minimal pressure, she ran on pleasing all the way to the line from the last to finish just behind the main players. Stepping up in trip today, she will clearly have to show the same amount of restraint as she did 16 days ago but providing the first part of the exercise goes according to plan, hopefully there will be enough left in the locker for her to be competitive at the business end.

SALLEY GARDENS (best price 11-4) represents a yard ticking along with a healthy 35% strike rate at present and with her being one of only a handful of previous winners in the field, he’s fancied to add to his trainer’s tally in what appears a pretty weak contest on paper.

Largely disappointing in his first season over hurdles, the pre-race market suggested there might be better to come on her first start for 175-days at Perth in September and despite facing of host of potent challengers in the final half a mile, he ended up justifying his position in the market with a gutsy success. Clearly responding well to the first time tongue-tie, it was surprisingly the new contraption was left off over today’s course last time out and although it’s hard to say whether that move was the difference between winning and losing, connections have not wanted to make the same mistake twice by reapplying the aid on his return visit. There’s also an argument to be made Olly Murphy’s gelding just lacked a bit of application in the latter stages here 35 days ago, so with the cheekpieces going on for the first time in order to focus his mind a little better, there’s more than a fair chance he can get back on track in a race littered with disappointing types.