Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

GLENGLAS (best price 15-8) may not have impressed everyone when he made a successful rules debut in a bumper at Fairyhouse a month ago, but the time figure for a race of its kind strongly suggested he ran a good deal better than seemed at first glance and he’s fancied to back up that view on his hurdling bow over a track that should suit.

Intent on making it a proper test at the Co Meath venue, Gordon Elliott’s gelding soon established a clear advantage over his three rivals and even though he had most of that buffer eroded by the finish, he proved extremely willing close home when it looked for all the world as though he was going to get swamped by the highly-regarded, O’Moore Park. A winner of a point on his only other previous start, clearly three miles and fences is where his future lies, but for now, the son of Ocovango can make an impact at a reasonable level over the smaller obstacles and today’s contest looks the ideal starting point for this proper, old fashioned staying type.

The further YOUNG BUTLER (best price 5-1) went at Chepstow last time the stronger he became and with the form of that race at the Welsh venue boosted by the third at Uttoxeter yesterday, Emma Lavelle’s promising stayer can shrug aside the steadier of top weight.

A creditable and promising third to the potentially high-class Stage Star (goes for the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle next) on hurdles debut at Chepstow, the son of Yeats was understandably very well backed on his return to the Welsh track in what looked a much weaker race on paper and despite looking in a spot of bother at several points of the race, he ultimately got the job done. Given how well he hit the line 29 days ago, the five-year-old should be seen to even greater advantage over further and with an opening mark of 121 seen as more than satisfactory, there’s every reason to believe he will acquit himself with distinction on his first foray into handicap company.

Backing Venetia Williams-trained chasers blind around today’s course hasn’t been the worst betting strategy ever invented over the years and the in-form Herefordshire handler looks to have another fine prospect on her hands to do battle at the Berkshire track in the shape of L’HOMME PRESSE (NAP) (best price 7-4).

An instant hit for new connections on his first start since leaving his French base at Chepstow towards the backend of last season, the six-year-old probably found the race coming a bit too soon when disappointing on his final out of the campaign two weeks later. Off for 223-days in the interim, the son of Diamond Boy returned to action to contest what looked a salty little affair on his UK chase debut at Exeter and after travelling strongly throughout, he stayed on best of all to eventually wear down the well-fancied Gunsight Ridge. In breaking the heart of the favourite after the last, he also posted an extremely fast time figure for a race of its kind and with the pair miles clear of the rest, the form looks very strong. Looking a natural jumper on his opening gambit over fences, today’s chase circuit – which rewards a good technique – will hopefully play into his strengths and with a possible fitness advantage over his two main market rivals also seen as a big plus, L’Homme Presse can provide his handler with yet another chase winner at the Berkshire venue (32 winners from 183 runners).

We are all guilty of overcomplicating these big handicaps on a regular basis, but when the obvious strong recent form line of the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham is represented by the two who dominated that valuable prize, it makes it easy to come to the conclusion that the pair in question, NO ORDINARY JOE (best price 4-1) and WEST CORK (best price 8-1), have every chance of featuring prominently in this similar contest.

The former looked one of the most intriguing runners in that 19-strong affair 34 days ago, having a profile which was quite difficult to assess with regards to big handicap form, but he took well to his new discipline in the manner of horse who has a big future in races of that nature. Fresh after a 177-day break, Nicky Henderson’s gelding was a little keen in the early stages and, as a result, he found himself having to row his own boat for the first mile. Still in front and tanking along two out, the son of Getaway rounded the home turn with a length advantage over his closing rivals and although he stayed on stoically all the way up the hill, he couldn’t quite see off both West Cork and Adagio, who each had the benefit of more energy-saving rides. That said, he shaped far better than his mark of 133, and with the distinct possibility of the front running role going in the direction of several here this afternoon who are far happier with that task, the lightly-raced five-year-old should get a nice tow down to the business before being delivered with his challenge.

The latter landed the Greatwood fair and square on the day, but as tends to be the norm nowadays, he seems to have been slightly overlooked despite beating a stellar field with a bit to spare. The way he cruised through that generously-run affair at Prestbury Park suggested he’s as good as ever (before his injury) and having gone well on the three times he’s raced right-handed - including in a Grade 2 - the son of Midnight Legend is a must for any shortlist.

Eagle One arrives here in terrific heart and, on balance, is probably the right favourite, but because he takes a huge chunk out of the market, there looks to be plenty of each-way options, none more so than CAN CAN GIRL (best price 11-2) who appeals as the value alternative.

A model of consistency since fitted with the blinkers, David Brown’s filly has run some smart speed figures in victory and defeat and with the best of those performances coming over tonight’s C&D three weeks ago, a repeat of the same level of form would be enough for her to finish in the first four at the very least. Although she couldn’t quite go with Mercian Hymn in the latter stages on that occasion, as we saw with the winner at Kempton last night, Sir Mark Todd’s inmate is a horse on a serious upward trajectory, so her effort in finishing a two-length second deserves a good deal more praise than it did at the time. Runner-up again last time out at Southwell behind the similar progressive Carausius, the daughter of Champ Elysees has also proven she’s pretty versatile and reliable when it comes to different surfaces and tracks and now she drops back into class 6 company again, another positive display looks the most likely outcome.