Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FONTANA ELLISSI (best price 4-1) has really clicked into gear since the fitting of a hood and following another solid effort in the headgear at Taunton last week, Sam Drinkwater’s gelding makes quite a bit of appeal at this slightly lower level. 

After shaping well at Newbury three starts ago, the son of Sinndar was well-backed to take advantage of a slipping mark at Ffos Las a month later and although there were times when he looked to be struggling at the Welsh venue, he eventually came through quite powerfully, in the end, to score with a bit to spare. Once again nicely backed beforehand down in the West Country 13 days ago, this time his tendency to hit a bit of a flat spot caught him out around a much sharper track and even though he did his level best to try and rectify the situation late on, unfortunately, Ajero was not for catching. However, that sort of performance against genuine Class 2 opponents suggests he still remains on an upward curve and although there has to be some misgivings regards today’s more testing conditions, the fact that he’s managed to cope with Ffos Las soft ground does hold out plenty of hope he’ll be fine on that score.

King Of The South is undoubtedly the one to beat here following his excellent effort again subsequent Winter Derby third Fancy Man at Lingfield last time out, but there’s also a strong case to be made for CLAP YOUR HANDS (best price 9-2) and at the prices, David Simcock’s gelding rates the strong each-way alternative to the favourite. 

Similarly to his main market rival, the son of Universal boasts plenty of solid course form - as figures of 411133 at the Dunstall Park track testify – and although he’s proven over two miles, he’s probably more effective in and around tonight’s trip. Finding the extended 1m1f journey too short here back in December, he then didn’t quite have the qualities to cope with the smart pair Rainbow Dreamer and Earlofthecotswolds over two miles, but based on his most recent display away from his happy hunting ground, he looks poised to put up a bold display. Although he can sometimes be slowly away, his start at Kempton 29 days ago was taking that part of his game to another level and in losing at least five or six lengths in the early strides, his chances of winning were effectively over. The fact he managed to get within half a length of the eventual winner Old Port, however, strongly suggests he’s in tremendous heart at present and providing he doesn’t go and blow the start to the same extent as last time here tonight, there’s a good chance the six-year-old will have some of say in the final outcome.