Andy Holding's Sunday Racing Tips

If there was ever a race that highlights the difference between the UK and Irish National Hunt scene at present, this is it in a nutshell. Fully six weeks away from the Cheltenham festival, the fact we have at least half a dozen genuine high-class novice chasers prepared to take each other on in a Grade 3 says a lot for the competitive nature of the racing and general mindset of the connections over there compared to this country. Never in a month of Sunday’s would there ever be a situation over here where you’d get a similar scenario and that is one of the main reasons why the Irish have done and will continue to dominate the novice landscape at the big meeting in March.

On to the race itself and while there are cogent cases to be made for most of the field, RUN WILD FRED (best price 3-1) probably has the most solid credentials and for that reason, Gordon Elliott’s reliable character makes the most appeal at the morning odds. Winner of the ultra-competitive Troytown Handicaps Chase at Navan back in November, the eight-year-old chestnut was totally dominant throughout and although he came up just a little short when asked to race against Grade 1 opposition at Leopardstown last time, he still came away from the race with a great deal of credit. Setting out to make the race a proper test, the son of Shantou was a little too exuberant at some of his fences for his own good and a bad mistake at the tenth highlighted his rather gung-ho attitude on the day. Despite that nearly race-ending mistake, he still managed to remain a force until the second last, but it was at that point where stable mate Fury Road took charge and he could never get back on terms with a horse who has plenty of Grade 1 hurdling back class. That said, he did pull nicely clear of the rest which included Vanillier, Ontheropes, Bacardys and Ashdale Bob and with the time figure backing up the view that race in question was befitting of its status, Run Wild Fred can serve it up to today’s rivals in a similar aggressive fashion.

JACKSONS GOLD (NAP) (best price 6-1) has run really well against some pretty stern opposition in two above-average novice events so far to date and while he might be lacking a little bit regards experience for a race of this nature, ability-wise, he’s more than capable of going close with a clear round.

A promising fifth a Thurles on his debut over fences, the son of Gold Well was pitched into even hotter contest at Navan last time out and although he never had any chance of troubling the high-class mare Riviere D’Etel (runner-up in a Grade 1 since) over a trip way short of his best, he ran a good deal better than the bare margin of defeat suggested. Outpaced and well behind at halfway, it soon became apparent that his chance of winning was minimal, but he did manage to finish his race off with plenty of purpose and when you consider the speed figure the winner posted at the Co Meath venue, it puts his achievements in a much better context. Third a hugely-competitive handicap hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival last season, it’s worth point out he had the likes of Capadanno and many high-quality novices behind him that day and with today’s unseasonal good ground also seen as a massive positive towards his prospects this afternoon, Alice Curran’s gelding makes plenty of appeal.

OUT THE GLEN (best price 11-4) bounced back to form with a vengeance at Leicester last time out and a repeat of a similar level of form should see Olly Murphy’s gelding a potent force for the second time in succession.

A dual winner over hurdles, the nine-year-old fared well on his opening gambit over fences and the experience her garnered that day clearly stood him in good stead for his latest adventure 18 days ago. In a race noted for its strong pace for the grade, the son of Millenary kept on gamely all the way down the straight to fend off the persistent challenge of Spotty Dog and when you consider his final circuit time with in line with the top-class Dysart on the same card, it’s safe to say he ran way beyond a horse of his fairly low rating. Still eligible for Class 5 handicaps despite that quality performance, the lightly-raced gelding appears to have another cast-iron opportunity under his ideal conditions.