Grand National Festival Tips: Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

PEKING ROSE (best price 12-1) has been plying his trade against some pretty smart novices during his short career over hurdles and despite a distinct lack of experience in these sort of events being a little cause for concern, the price is tempting enough for Fergal O’Brien’s gelding to still be considered a bet.

A good third on his hurdling debut in a hot novice event at Ascot, the son of Passing Glance didn’t have to wait too long before getting off the mark and although he’s failed to add to his tally in two subsequent starts, there’s certainly been no disgrace in chasing home the likes of progressive novices Lac Du Constance and Gelino Bello.

Slightly outclassed rather than not getting the trip at Newbury last time out, the seven-year-old, who was good enough to split Knappers Hill and Stage Star in the Graded bumper at this meeting last season, has the sort of mark (130) to suggest he should take a hand in the finish with a trouble-free round.

Jonbon has to be the automatic favourite based on his gallant effort against the mighty Constitution Hill in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival, but whether he should be four times the price of stable mate FIRST STREET (best price 4-1), who also carries strong form into this Grade 1, is open to debate.

Since having his wind done, Nicky Henderson’s gelding has improved immeasurably on his early endeavours over hurdles and following a smooth victory at Kempton in January, he went on to run an absolute blinder in the competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury a month later.

Clearly well suited by a strongly run handicap environment, the son of Golden Horn threw his cap into the ring once again in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last time and although he proved no match for the well-backed winner, State Man, his performance in finishing a creditable second easily comes out as a career high.

Moreover, considering he was the only one of the runners who raced around the inside to be involved in the shake-up adds extra credence to his effort (similar story regards Knight Salute in the Triumph) and with today’s flat, sharp, left-handed track set to suit this improving five-year-old down to the ground, he rates a cracking each-way bet at the prices.

The stats points towards horses who either have experience of the National fences, or like to race handy, so with that in mind, taking one from each category in the shape of ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (best price 14-1) and SENIOR CITIZEN (best price 12-1) isn’t the worst strategy in the world.

The former put up a jumping clinic when making virtually all the running in the Galway Plate and his two subsequent performances in Grade 2 company, both victory and defeat, strongly back up the view that he deserves to be ranked in that sort of bracket.

Having captured the last two renewals of this sought-after prize, anything the Closutton handler sends to post has be seriously respected and with his bold jumping and overall position way of racing likely to dovetail nicely around this demanding circuit, the son of King’s Theatre has the class to shrug aside top weight.

The latter has strong form around today’s C&D twice over – including when third in this race last season – and he looks to have been targeted specifically for another tilt based on his rather sparse campaign. A winner at Market Rasen in October, that performance put the finishing touches to his preparation for his first main objective of the season, The Grand Sefton here a month later, and although he came up just short in his bid, once again he showed his liking for the unique environment.

Running as well as could be expected on unsuitable soft ground at Newbury last time out, Alan King’s inmate will no doubt be all the better for that first outing for 119-days and with today’s conditions set to be just about perfect this smoother traveller, he makes plenty of each-way appeal with most firms paying down to six places.

Probably not the strongest Grade 1 ever seen and there are several who are also unproven at the trip, but that can’t be said for CRYSTAL GLORY (best price 17-2), who arguably brings one of the most solid pieces into the race courtesy of his fine effort at Haydock last time out.

A dual winner at a fairly low level earlier on this season, Nicky Richards’ gelding was a short-priced favourite to complete the hat trick at Newcastle back in January, but the race didn’t quite pan out as planned and he ended up being an unlucky runner-up to the positively ridden Rafferty’s Return.

Pitched into Graded company for the first time at the Merseyside venue a month later, the son of Fame And Glory looked as though the patient tactics employed were about to strike it rich as he loomed up to the more prominently ridden Hillcrest, but he didn’t quite have the necessary qualities to go past his main market rival and he had to settle for a honourable second.

That said, the time figure of the race was exceptionally and, with the pair well clear of the rest, he clearly ran to a very high standard. Saved specifically for today’s contest since, avoiding both Cheltenham and Ayr, the policy to keep him fresh should reap maximum rewards and he looks booked to run a huge race for the North.