Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

PUNCTUATION (best price 15-8) won in the style of a very well handicapped horse on his first run for new connections at Warwick last time out and with the strong possibility of even more to come based on the pick of his form on the Flat, Fergal O’Brien’s gelding is fancied to repeat the dose. 

Useful on the level despite not probably living up to some of his early promise, the son of Dansili didn’t really show too much in his first four starts over hurdles, but a change of scenery and fitting of a tongue-tie were enough to totally transform his game. Always travelling comfortably in what turned out to be a well-run heat for the grade at the Midland venue, the five-year-old jumped to the front with a good jump at the last and with Paddy Brennan doing his best to try and mask his superiority on the run-in, he ended up scoring with loads more in hand than the official winning margin suggested. Even off his revised mark of 106, that new assessment still looks to be a good deal south of his true capabilities and with ground to suit, this powerful galloper rates a strong choice to press home that viewpoint. 

SOLDIER OF DESTINY (NAP) (best price 7-4) created a really favourable impression with the manner of his victory at Ffos Las last time out and with today’s extra yardage threatening to bring about even further improvement from Jamie Snowden’s gelding, confidence is high that he can continue on an upward curve.
A point winner over 2m5f back in November for old connections, the son of Presenting returned to the same Welsh venue having shaped well on rules debut at Hereford and following heavy market support, he duly made no mistake. Always catching the eye with the way he jumped and travelled 23 days ago, the further he went the better he looked, and with the speed figure and subsequent of the third and fourth giving the race a solid feel, a raise to 131 seems more than fair. Clearly benefitting from recent wind surgery, this strappy chaser has all the attributes to really make a name for himself at this discipline and with testing ground seemingly not a problem based on his most recent display, the six-year-old should prove hard to beat over a track that will suit his galloping nature.

CUSTARD THE DRAGON (best price 3-1) could walk himself to today’s track, so many times has he raced at the Midland venue, and following yet another notable performance over the C&D last time out, the veteran looks poised to add to his back catalogue.  

An eleven-time winner over today’s course, the nine-year-old seems better than ever based on his last four outings since the new track has been laid and his numbers from those races have been equally impressive. Often a slow starter, John Mackie’s gelding has sometimes left himself with too much to do in the latter stages, but even with a modest break here tonight, you’d still fancy him to have a say in the final outcome given the general standard of the opposition.

GOLD DES BOIS (best price 11-2) has still yet to register a win since joining new connections, but it’s fair to say he’s been knocking at the door, and despite his morning odds suggesting otherwise, today’s just be the time when Iain Jardine’s gelding strikes gold. 

A dual winner back in his native Ireland, the eight-year-old chestnut began his life from his new base with an excellent effort behind the smart Nuts Well over today’s C&D and other than an unseat at Musselburgh two starts ago, he’s proved a model of consistency since. Indeed, his latest effort at Doncaster behind the likes of Funambule Sivola and Before Midnight reads well and with plenty of soft ground form also in the book, the son of Full Of Gold has plenty to recommend along with his morning price.