Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GARGOUILLE (best price 9-4) had a similar class handicap seemingly at her mercy when crashing out at the second last at Clonmel last week and providing she’s suffered no ill effects from that untimely tumble, confidence is high that Dairmuid Ryan’s mare cam make amends.

The daughter of Spanish Moon had run a fine race at the same track the time before when runner-up to the useful Bravo team, so it was no great surprise she was a warm order to back up that effort on her return visit. The way she travelled through the race at the Co Tipperary venue nine days ago suggested she was a cut above her opponents and it was just one of those unlucky falls – similar to the one suffered by Galopin Des Champs – where she just tripped over her own feet on landing. How far she would have won is hard to estimate, but needless to say, she makes plenty of appeal racing off a similar mark and it’s just a case of whether she can translate that sort of performance over a course that is totally different in its layout both in terms of circumference and stiffness.

SIR HENRY COTTON (best price 3-1) took a little longer than expected to get off the mark at Wolverhampton last time out, but now that Andrew Balding’s gelding has finally got the monkey off his back, he can continue to press forward and make waves in handicap company.

Gelded over the winter, the son of Gutaifan showed a good deal more promise on his first two starts since his break and then when found a good opportunity in a weak-looking maiden, he grasped the chance presented with both hands. Quickening up nicely inside the final furlong to pull clear at the line, the three-year-old grey clocked a useful speed figure for the grade and with the underlying feeling that he still remains well treated off a mark of 68, it would be disappointing if he doesn’t back up that view at a track likely to play to his strengths.

HACKBERRY (best price 5-1) has been running well in recent times despite still not managing to get his head in front, and with a drop back in trip seen as a wise move by connections, Brian Ellison’s gelding can make the long trip down south worthwhile.

Still yet to win in seven all-weather starts, the son of Nathaniel was only narrowly denied his day in the sun at Newcastle on his penultimate outing and that was his second decent performance since he underwent wind surgery in December. Back to Southwell last time out, the five-year-old paid the price for chasing an extremely hot pace set by Deluxe Music, but with the overall speed figure very good for the grade and the fifth going on to frank the form with a win over hurdles next time, his effort was probably a good deal better than it appeared at the time. Either way, a drop back down to a more suitable 1m6f journey looks just the ticket and it looks a race well within his capabilities based on his previous numbers.

GARETH CAEL (best price 8-1) shaped with a good deal more promise than previously on handicap debut at Carlisle last time out and with today’s trip threatening to bring about even further improvement, Oliver Greenall’s gelding looks one of the likelier types in this concluding three-mile affair.

A former winning pointer, the son of Montmatre hadn’t shown too much on his first three starts under rules, but given a 100-day break and more of a stamina test, he offered a good deal more hope for the future. Although he couldn’t go with the easy winner after the last, he kept on well enough around horses who have all boosted the form of the race since and with the sight of stable jockey Craig Nicol back on offering more reasons to feel upbeat, the six-year-old could turn out to be more than just a dangerous floater.