Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

RIVIERE D’ETEL (best price 2-1) may have lost her unbeaten record over fences here last time, but certainly not her reputation, and with her old rival, Ferny Hollow, not side-lined, Gordon Elliott’s mare is strongly fancied she’s one of the best two-mile novices’ around. 

Heading into that Grade 1 over today’s C&D as well-backed second favourite the school of thought was the daughter of Martaline would put her main market rival to the sword by leading it out from the front – in keeping with all her previous three starts. However, the hare soon became the hound and she was forced to revert to hold-up tactics as the Willie Mullins-trained gelding went scorching off in front and although she did her level best to match the pace-setter throughout, she ultimately had to settle for a valiant second. Whether she will be asked to try and dominate back at the Dublin venue who knows, as a lot will depend on what the plans are with the likes of Saint Sam and Hout En Couleurs, but either way, the five-year-old grey holds the best form/speed figures coming into today’s contest and she deserves to be backed accordingly despite the competitive nature of the line-up. 

Ahoy Senor will be the main focus of attention for many, being one the most high-profile novices’ in the north, but he’s up against a smashing young prospect in his own right, namely SAINT PALAIS (best price 13-8), and Richard Bandey’s gelding has all the necessary tools to cause a mini-shock.

Winless over hurdles despite shaping well several times, the five-year-old has quickly become a totally different proposition over fences and following victories at Worcester and over today’s C&D, he went on to land his most notable success to date at Newbury last time out. In what turned out to be a thorough test at the trip, the son of Saint Des Saints stayed on extremely strongly in the latter stages to get the better of the useful Gericault Roque and with the pair well clear in a fast time, it’s come as no surprise to see several of those well beaten in behind, including the runner-up, go on to boost the form (Wayfinder, Run To Milan, Innisfree Lad and Landofsmiles wither won or placed next time). Given plenty of time to get over those exertions two months ago, he should arrive here fresh and well and with Harry Bannister’s job looking a pretty straightforward one in terms of just keeping close tabs on the favourite, hopefully he can deliver his mount with a knockout blow at the business end. 

DANS LE VENT (best price 8-1) has a terrific record in big field handicaps and as such, he deserves to be played accordingly despite this being probably the most competitive race of the day.
Runner-up in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his first start of the campaign over two miles, Evan Williams’ gelding proved his versatility by capturing an equally competitive event at Haydock over three miles. Slightly outclassed but not disgraced in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time, he was back in a more realistic level at Kempton last time out and considering how the race panned out – suiting those on the front end – he did really well to finish just behind the main players. Back up in trip over a track that will play more into his strengths, the son of Skins Game looks a must for anyone’s shortlist. 

Mt Leinster has always exhibited plenty of class, but his tendency to rather race with the choke out doesn’t allow much room for error, so with that in mind, A WAVE OF THE SEA (best price 7-1) and CAPUCCIMIX (best price 8-1) look two viable propositions to pick up the pieces and are worth backing at value odds against the favourite. 

The former has been plying his trade over three miles this season, to a fair degree of success, but it’s worth casting your mind back to this race last season where his proven stamina was seen to good effect in what turned out to be a very strongly run affair. Still plenty to do jumping two-out, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding stayed on best of all to lead inside the last 100yds, and it came as no surprise given the pace from the outset that the time figure was so good. As anticipated, the form of the race worked out well subsequently, throwing up a Cheltenham festival winner in the shape of The Shunter for one, and with everything almost identical to twelve months ago, the seven-year-old rates a fair each-way play. 

The latter was one of those responsible for the solid gallop here last year and, although he ultimately faded out of the argument after the last, it was still a big effort under the circumstances. A very respectable sixth the Grand Annual at Cheltenham next time, similarly leading till the last, Henry De Bromhead’s grey was seen to better effect in smaller field at Killarney during the summer and that career-high also coincided with good ground. Still in contention when falling at the third last at Punchestown on his seasonal bow, the nine-year-old should be all the better for the run and with 11 less runners to contend with this time around, a chance is taken he can bounce back to his best.

HE’S A LATCHICO (NAP) (best price 13-8) ran a good deal better than the bare result suggests at Wolverhampton last time out and with today’s step up in trip just as likely to suit him as the favourite, Coase, he easily makes the most appeal of the pair. 

Brought along steadily by Gary Moore, the lightly-raced four-year-old has clearly had one or two issues along the way, but the patience afforded to him appears to coming to fruition based on recent evidence. Not knocked about over today’s course twice, he left the impression on each occasion he may do better when allowed to race beyond a mile and that feeling was confirmed at the Midland venue 19 days ago. Held up towards the rear early, the son of Fast Company was still in the cheap seats rounding the home turn, but he made some nice late progress to finish just behind the main players and considering the overall time figure of the race, his performance was doubly noted. Moreover, the winner, Almufeed, has gone on to advertise the strength of the form twice since and with the handicapper surprisingly dropping him down the ratings despite that excellent effort, he rates strong choice the father and son combination home happy (well at least one of them!).