Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MIDNIGHT CALLISTO (NAP) (best price 11-10) produced a relentless display of powerful galloping when making all the running at Exeter last time out and with the assessor allowing Anthony Honeyball’s mare off the hook by leaving her on the same mark, now is the time to jump all over her in anticipation of her dishing out similar punishment to today’s rivals. 

Runner-up and third respectively to the in-form pair Lime Drop and Pilsdon Pen in above-average handicap hurdles, the daughter of Midnight Legend was sent back to maiden company in a bid to finally get off the mark over timber and that change of ploy ended working out in the best possible fashion. Sent to the front at the West Country venue, the seven-year-old soon built up a useful advantage and at no stage did she ever look like loosening the noose she had around the rest of the field. In sauntering home by 26 lengths, she posted a very smart speed figure and it’s also worth noting that her numbers were much superior to 112-rated stable mate Credo, who took the very next race over the same C&D. Based on those findings, it’s easy to draw to the conclusion she appears to have been let off the hook regards assessing her true ability and with today’s galloping two miles set to really suit this likeable mare, she’s going to be a tough nut to crack if developing a good early rhythm from the front.

The fate of PEKING ROSE (best price 9-4) was pretty much decided by a stopping blunder at the third last at Exeter on her most recent outing, but now racing back over a track that served him well here in December, Fergal O’Brien’s gelding is destined to keep Gelino Bello honest at the very least. 
Regarded as one of the nicest prospects in the yard, the son of Passing Glance wasted little time in confirming that opinion with a fine effort on debut in a hot novice hurdle at Ascot and he went on to make light work of a 13-strong field over today’s course two months later. Stepped up to listed level on his most recent start, the seven-year-old was backed as if defeat wasn’t an option at the West Country venue and for three-quarters of the journey, everything seemed to be going according to plan. Bowling along nicely in front, he held a two lengths advantage when he totally ignored the first one in the home straight and from that point onwards, he could never quite regain his composure. With Paddy Brennan soon accepting the situation, he didn’t subject his mount to a hard time on the run-in and with connections wisely ruling out any possibility of running at the Festival, the decision to come here for easier pickings should bear fruit. 

TWOSHOTSOFTEQUILA (best price 5-2) did very little wrong in defeat at Sedgefield last time out when back to a more appropriate trip and with connections looking to get the son of Snow Sky out before reassessed next week, he’s fancied to take advantage and, in turn, keep up the fine run of his yard. 
A comfortable winner at the Durham venue three starts ago, the son on Snow Sky was a warm order on his return visit eight days ago but unfortunately for his band of supporters, he bumped into another improver who was just too tough in the closing stages. That said, the overall time figure and final circuit sectionals strongly suggest the race in question was extremely good for the grade and with today’s galloping track and soft ground likely to suit him more than most, he looks the one who holds all the aces.