Andy Holding's Thursday Racing Tips

DEEPER BLUE (best price 7-2) was unfortunate to bump into the potentially top-class Stage Star on his latest escapade over hurdles at Chepstow last time out, but having come out of that well-run affair with what appears a fair enough handicap mark, Harry Fry’s gelding has a decent opportunity to take advantage of these much calmer waters.

Promising in a couple of bumpers, the son of Muhtathir made his debut over hurdles towards the backend of last season just to test the water and even though he was ultimately beaten a fair way by the smart Erne River, he was by no means disgraced. Off the track for 171-days, the five-year-old returned to action in what appeared a hot novices’ hurdle on paper at the Welsh track, but this time he shaped with a good deal more encouragement, being the only one to offer any sort of resistance to the long odds-on favourite in the final half a mile. Time figure-wise, the race in question from two months ago was easily one of the best of its kind in the early part of the campaign and with the winner himself and the third home, Young Butler, both going on to prove the value of the form on their next starts, it would be something of a surprise if this lightly-raced type wasn’t capable of following suit. Of his main dangers, Guernesey has been in terrific form of late and probably might have won at least two of his last three starts if things had gone a little more his way. The only issue with Philip Hobbs’ grey is those three starts have come in a fairly short period of time and today’s softer ground might not necessarily be to his liking.

ANYTHINGFORLOVE (best price 5-2) has yet to rip up any trees on each start over fences to date, so it comes with no great surprise that connections have decided to revert back to hurdles, and that move could end up reaping maximum rewards under conditions that suit right down to the ground.

3-5 over the smaller obstacles last season, the daughter of Black Sam Bellamy rounded off the campaign with a Grade 2 tucked neatly under her belt and the significance of that victory in relation to today’s examination, it was the first time she had a proper test on heavy ground. Probably not the scopiest when it comes to jumping fences, she will feel more at home doing what she does best here today and with the excellent Archie Bellamy (seen to good effect on Lively Citizen at Cheltenham last week) in the plate to help her ease some of her hefty burden, the class act of the race can show whose boss.

INVINCIBLE LARNE (best price 9-2) clocked a smart set of numbers, both overall and sectionals, in victory at Wolverhampton last weekend and with connections clearly keen as mustard to get Scott Dixon’s gelding out quickly in order to take advantage of his current wellbeing, it makes sense to keep him onside in this weaker contest on paper.

By and large a pretty consistent performer, especially on the all-weather surfaces, the five-year-old was a little bit under par at Chelmsford two starts ago and that prompted connections to switch him across to his current yard in a bid to refocus his energies. Once again slightly on heels coming out of the gates and behind in the early skirmishes at the Midland track, the son of Invincible Spirit worked himself into a challenging position turning for home and under a typically industrious ride from Luke Morris, he stayed on strongly in the latter stages to score by a length. Although he didn’t have a huge amount in hand at the line, the fact he managed to beat a field that largely contained 90-rated horses is a massive feather in his cap and now dropping back into class 4 company over a track which should suit, another decent return looks on the cards.

ATHMAD (best price 12-1) was in cracking form on the all-weather around this time last season and following a run that intimated a return to something like his best isn’t too far away here last time out, Ruth Carr’s gelding is fancied to easily outrun his morning odds.

Without doubt, if tonight’s contest was at Wolverhampton, the son of Olympic Glory would have an even greater chance, but that aside, he went well enough on his first visit to the Essex venue to suggest he’s just as capable elsewhere. Noted going well in behind the speed as the field turned for home here two weeks ago, the five-year-old proceeded to run into a dead end as he became the meat in the sandwich between Dark Company and the fading Swinton Moon and he ended up having to be eased off inside the final furlong when all chance had gone. Whether he would have won for certain is open to debate, but on the evidence of that effort he clearly arrives here in better form than his finishing position suggests and despite having yet to have much experience of racing in Class 3 company (runner-up on his only previous start at this level), Athmad is worth a shy at the stumps.