Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FRAGRANT DELITIEP (best price 15-8) hasn’t won for a little while, but he’s been knocking at the door of late, and with all his best career efforts coming over today’s course (form figures of 421222) Robert Walford’s gelding can further add to that already impressive body of work. 

Runner-up to subsequent winner Dorking Lad over today’s C&D two starts ago, the seven-year-old grey was warm order to go one place better on his return to the West Country venue two months later, but despite putting up another brave display, he once again had to play second fiddle to a horse on a bit of a roll. On the positive side of things, his two speed figures in defeat have been pretty decent and with most of his best form coming on a soft or heavy surface, the son of Fragrant Mix looks sure to be right in the heat of battle at the business end. 

TWO TEMPTING (NAP) (best price 13-8) stepped up markedly on his debut effort at Wolverhampton with an altogether more polished display over today’s C&D next time and in a race where only a handful make any sort of appeal, Jonathon Portman’s gelding can put his valuable experience and race fitness to good use. 

Although only eighth on his racecourse debut back in January, the son of New Bay shaped better than the finishing position suggested and, as a result, there were one or two prepared to have a swing at him at big prices here last time out. Whether Marco Ghiani new about the gamble is a moot point as the Italian had his mount way off the speed early, but to the horse’s credit, he came home with a wet sail up the inside rail to at least secure the place part of the bets for his supporters. Looking at the overall time, and particular, his last three furlong sectionals in isolation, he ran to a pretty high standard and with hopefully a more positive ride on his return to the Sunbury venue, this promising gelding will prove hard to beat.

The ratings suggest WYVERN (best price 10-1) has a mountain to climb up against several who have already solid pattern race form on the board, but his times figures suggest he’s miles better than an 81 horse and he’s strongly fancied to prove that theory correct with race fitness on his side. 
Shaping really nicely despite being a 40-1 poke on his all-weather debut at Wolverhampton, Stuart Willaims’ gelding was much more prominent in the betting for his latest assignment at Lingfield and there was never a point when he didn’t look like delivering the goods. The way he travelled before quickening right away from his opponents at the Surrey track oozed class and it came as no surprise to see his overall and sectional times back up the visual impression. Given his mark, it would have made sense for connection to maybe go down the handicap route to exploit what appears a generous assessment, but the mere fact they are prepared to roll the dice against many established performers says a lot for the high regard he’s held in at home. The hint, therefore, should be taken.