Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DORKING BOY (best price 10-1), similar to his stable, has been in a pretty decent form of late and following another solid effort at Newbury last time out, Tom Lacey’s consistent gelding looks set to reward each-way support.

A convincing winner of a competitive handicap at Taunton three starts ago, the son of Schiaparelli has done nothing wrong in defeat on his next two outings and with the general consensus he simply had his pocket picked by the more patiently ridden Bold Plan at Newbury 14 days ago, to come out of the race on a slightly lower rating has to be deemed a fairly lenient move by the handicapper. Although he probably prefers softer ground, he has plenty of form on a surface similar to today’s and with a well-run race on a sharp, right-handed track certainly not seen as a negative, it would be considered a disappointing if he wasn’t good enough to make his presence felt.

KILLER CLOWN (best price 7-1) wouldn’t be the first horse to completely blow out at Ascot on very testing ground and if you are prepared to overlooked that uncharacteristically modest effort and focus on some of his better displays, Emma Lavelle’s gelding appears slightly overpriced.

A smooth winner of a Class 2 handicap at Wincanton two starts ago, the son of Getaway was expected to stay in the groove at the Berkshire venue later in the same month, but the combination of the demanding surface and probably not having enough time to recover from his endeavours two weeks earlier took their toll and he was eventually pulled up after never really travelling. Back on a decent surface that has allowed him to produced his three fastest time figures in the past and a C&D which witnessed him beat a useful field back in 2020, the eight-year-old makes plenty of each-way appeal at the morning prices.

LATITUDE (NAP) (best price 2-1) impressed on many different levels when scoring at the first time of asking over hurdles at Ludlow two months ago and with the numbers from that race at the Shropshire venue suggesting it was an above-average performance, Mel Rowley’s gelding rates a strong choice to repeat the dose.

A winner of a point and a bumper, the son of Shirocco shaped as though he badly needed the outing on his return to action at Bangor back in October, but with that all-important run under his belt he proved to be a totally different proposition next time out. Contesting what appeared a warm novices’ event 58 days ago, the six-year-old travelled well throughout and then when asked to go and seal the deal after picking up the running turning for home, he stayed on strongly in the latter stages to repel the challenges of the useful pair, Mumbo Jumbo and Hometown Hero (both ran in the EBF Final last week). Seemingly suited by the step up in trip that day, he gets another chance to prove his worth granted a similar test and even though he faces no easy task up against several unexposed types, he’s still expected to fly the flag with distinction for his small stable.

FOX POWER (best price 10-3) failed to cut much ice in the Lincoln trail here last week, but given the strength in depth to that race compared to tonight’s, Michael Appleby’s grey is fully expected to capitalise on this significant drop in grade.

A winner at the Dunstall Park venue over the extended mile three starts ago, the son of Dark Angel was a shade disappointing at Newcastle next time out, not seeing off his race as well as anticipated. Seemingly facing a tough ask in against many in-form, fancied opponents back at the Midland track seven days ago, the six-year-old probably ran as well as expected in a race run at a furious gallop and even allowing for the fact he got beaten seven lengths, his speed figures suggests he ran close to a career high. Although he’s been campaigned mainly over a mile, he has run perfectly respectably over this trip – including a good fourth behind Kryptos off a mark of 94 – and if you take into account the fact he beat the likes of Hafeet Alain and La Tahity here last week, a repeat of a similar level of form should be enough to see him go close.