Andy Holding's Wednesday Racing Tips

DURDLE DOOR (best price 5-2) has run pretty well in two races much better than the one she faces here this afternoon of late and having also proven her suitability to today’s track in the past, it’s almost inconceivable that Gary Moore’s filly won’t go well on her return visit.

Returning to action following wind surgery, the 125-day layoff had to be considered a worry and that concerned was reflected in the market as she was allowed to go off 40-1 despite having some decent back form. Although the layers were partly right to dismiss her chances, she actually ran a good deal better than her position in the market suggested, catching the eye with a strong finish and that solid effort prompted her coveting plenty more respect in the betting in a similar contest at Chelmsford next time. This time racing more prominently, the daughter of Sepoy looked dangerous rounding the home turn, but she just got caught in traffic momentarily and that momentum lost was never quite regained and she ended up being never-nearer at the finish. Good enough to finish within range of the now top-class Primo Bacio (rated 112) on one of only two starts at today’s track, a drop back to class 5 company should see this lightly-raced three-year-old hard to beat. 

Quite a few promising types go to post for this decent-looking novices hurdle, but as it stands, GUARDINO (best price 7-2) brings by far and away the best form line/time figure into the race courtesy of his excellent second at Wetherby on his hurdling debut two months ago and he’s fancied to press home that viewpoint over a trip which bring about even further improvement. 

A shade disappointing when well-fancied to make a successful start to his career under rules in a bumper at Carlisle a year ago, Ben Pauling’s gelding soon made amends at Kempton on his next start, staying on gamely in the closing stages to gain a narrow success over the subsequent winner, Unanswered Prayer. Returning to action following a 244-day break, the son of Authorized was prominent in the betting in what looked an above-average maiden hurdle at the Yorkshire venue and although he couldn’t quite strike it lucky first time over hurdles, he did precious little wrong in defeat. Looming up looking threatening two out, he just didn’t have the acceleration to cope with the impressive winner Harbour Lake, but with the speed figure very good and the third home, Stream of Stars advertising the value of the form twice since, an extra half a mile should see the five-year-old go close in his bid to readdress the balance.

The ability to stay the two-mile trip here at Dundalk is paramount and with ANNECHERIE (best price 7-2) one of the few in today’s line-up already proven over the C&D, Sheila Lavery’s filly is taken to follow up her recent victory. 

Disappointing on the turf, it’s only since the daughter of Yeats has been upped in trip and asked to race on the all-weather that she’s really found her feet and her first attempt at the Co Lough track, albeit a good one, could have actually have been bettered but for an untidy start. Much shorter in the betting next time, the lightly-raced three-year-old didn’t need any second invitation when returning to the scene of that initially promising effort by staying on strongly in the latter stages to win going away. Showing herself tactically versatile, firstly in a strongly run race and secondly in a tactical affair, she has pretty much all bases covered with regards how today’s contest might be run and with champion jockey Colin Keane booked to do the steering seen as a massive positive, Annecherie has every assistance in her bid to double her tally.