Andy Holding's Tuesday Racing Tips

It’s fair to say Nocte Volatus would have won with plenty in hand had he not fallen at the last fence at Market Rasen last time out, but the same could be said for LITTLE ORANGE (best price 13-2) with his late demise at Wetherby three weeks ago and at the prices, the latter makes far more appeal.

Runner-up on three of his four previous starts, the son of Trans Island was well-supported prior to his latest assignment at the Yorkshire venue and having taken control of proceedings turning for home, he looked as though he was about to justify his position in the market. Unfortunately for him and his legion of supporters, he got in too close to the second last and although it was impossible to say with absolute confident he would have won or not, he was still going well enough to suggest he may have withheld the challenge of the eventual winner Ladronne. Using the winner as a guide, it’s worth noted Tjade Collier’s charge ended up posting a faster circuit time than the other two chase winners on the day, Saint Palais (rated 125) and Sidi Ismael (118), so based on that knowledge, Little Orange would have easily bettered his previous career high effort has he stayed on his feet. On the evidence of his latest exploits, Simon Waugh’s gelding still has plenty to offer off his current mark and with ground and trip to suit, he makes plenty of each-way appeal at his morning price.

THE DASHER CONWAY (best price 8-1) travelled like by far and away the best horse in his most recent encounter at Navan and even though his end product ended up being a shade disappointing, he did more than enough to warrant another go with that all-important run under his belt.

A smooth winner of a maiden hurdle in a fast time previous at Tipperary, the son of Ask returned to action following a 180-day break at the Co Meath venue and his propensity to race keenly through the first mile of the contest could be put down to a little bit of over exuberance. Still going best approaching the last, his freshness in the early stages understandably took its toll on the stiff climb to the line and in the end, he had to settle for an honourable fourth behind the in-form Clarens. Given what happened to him in the latter stages of that competitive contest 37 days ago, he needs to give himself more chance to see out his race, but providing he does settle a little better on this occasion, there’s no doubt he has the ability to feature in a race of this nature and at the morning odds, he’s worth a punt he can see out today’s step up in trip.

ARDHILL (best price 11-4) needs to be done a favour in order to sneak into this Pertemps qualifier, but if he does get lucky, he’s surely going to take all the beating based on his demolition job at Ascot last time out.

A massive springer in the market prior to contesting what appeared a competitive novices’ handicap at the Berkshire venue, his previous form figures didn’t suggest he was capable of justifying 4-1 favouritism, but as it turned out, those who took part in the gamble certainly knew their onions. Racing in the blinkers for the first time, the son of Shantou travelled ominously well throughout and after sauntering to the front approaching the second last, he only needed to be nudged out with

minimal encouragement to record a facile seven-length success. In doing so, the six-year-old recorded a healthy overall time figure, but it was his backend sectionals comparative to Champ and Tritonic, that really highlighted his performances. Slightly quicker than the 155-rated former from three out and ten lengths better than the latter, Ardhill clearly has an engine that far supersedes his current assessment, so even though today’s task looks a far trickier one on paper, the reality purely rests on whether the headgear has the same galvanising effective for the second time.

FINDTHETIME (best price 5-2) finally delivered the goods at Sedgefield last time out and this highly-regarded novice appears to have been given the sort of handicap mark his ability should easily be capable of exploiting.

Too keen for his own good on his hurdling debut at Perth, Nicky Richards’ gelding did himself a few more favours next time out at Carlisle and, as a result, his finishing effort was a good deal more positive. A little fractious before the start of his most recent outing, the son of Shantou, however, settled better than he had done on his two previous races and in what turned out to be a well-run race of its kind, he came through strongly at the business end to force the issue close home. Clearly getting his act together piece by piece, connections of the five-year-old must be pretty pleased with an opening mark of just 111, and with today’s longer trip and likely decent pace to suit, it would come as something of a disappointment to all concerned if he weren’t to have a huge say in the final outcome.