Andy Holding's Monday Racing Tips

The first-time tongue tie made all the different to the end product of AHEAD OF THE FIELD (best price 9-2) here last time out and even though there was a slight tendency for him to wander around under pressure in the closing stages, he still remains a chaser of some interest on his return visit.

A former novice hurdle winner when housed in Ireland, Emma Lavelle’s gelding made his chase debut for new connection in a competitive-looking handicap at Lingfield but after acting the goat beforehand and being hampered five out, he ultimately made little impression despite his position in the market suggesting otherwise. Once again nicely backed prior to contesting his latest encounter, this time the chestnut proved equal to the task and with the time figure pretty good for the grade and the fifth horse home, Dockpickme, advertising the form at Uttoxeter last week, it’s probably fair to say the handicapper hasn’t got anywhere near his true capabilities even raising him to 118. Hopefully he will shake off his propensity to flash his tail with more racing under his belt and with an additional half a mile see as another possible plus point, the son of Flemensfirth can continue his progression.

BARNARDS GREEN (best price 9-1) was allowed to go off 33-1 on his debut over today’s C&D which, given how he shaped, was clearly an unfair representation of his ability, and with that all-important experience under his belt, there’s no reason why Neil Mulholland’s gelding won’t feature heavily in the final outcome again.

Held up towards the rear at the Midland venue, the son of Getaway was momentarily outpaced and ridden along as the tempo cranked up another notch coming out of the back straight, but he really stuck to his task manfully in the final half a mile, and by the line, he’d managed to get within three lengths of the prominently ridden winner, Abuffalosoldier. Analysing the data from the race 22 days ago, the numbers reveal the race was well above-average for one of its kind and given that Barnards Green was right up there with the best of the field according to the final circuit sectionals (ran 1.57.4 compared to winner’s 1.57.6), his performance deserves even more praise. Similar to his brother, Neachells Bridge, the six-year-old looks a stayer in the making and with today’s big field likely to mean there’s plenty of pace on again, another stern test should see him to best effect. Of the rest, Grand Knight also comes out of a good race on the figures at Warwick and he’s worth more than a second look for those looking to play two against the field.