Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

IMPERIAL RULER (best price 2-1) went through his debut over hurdles at Down Royal like a proper horse until getting a little tired late on but, with that all-important run under his belt, Dermot McLoughlin’s gelding can strike at the second time of asking.

A comfortable winner of a Tipperary bumper back in May 2021, the son of Imperial Monarch was subsequently off the track for 301 days until making his comeback at the Co Down venue last month and it was only a matter of match fitness that prevented him from maintaining his unbeaten record. A little too exuberant for his own good after his long absence 31 days ago, the five-year-old only succumbed to the eventual winner after the last, but with today’s test a little less taxing in terms of both track and ground likely to see him to better advantage, he should be up for capturing a race lacking any real strength in depth.

A cracking mares’ Grade 1 which will go some way to resolving who is the best in this division this season and while fully appreciating SAY GOODBYE (best price 18-1) has to find a little bit on the bare form to beat the likes of Love Envoi and Dinoblue, she still should be capable of running a good deal better than her early morning quotes of 20-1 suggest.

A big rangy mare, the daughter of Getaway has been a model of consistency since sent hurdling and with her best performance coming when last seen at the Dublin Racing Festival back in February, it’s fair to say she’s still improving. Although she couldn’t quite peg back the smart winner Party Central, she stayed on in pretty eye-catching fashion after the last and with the likes of subsequent winners Glan and Minx Tiara, not to mention Lunar Display, all well beaten in behind, it’s form that deserves respect. On the evidence of that display, a step back up in trip should suit and she rates as one of the better value options in the race if nothing else.

TO BE SURE (best price 11-4) is not only the most experienced in today’s line-up, he’s also the only C&D winner on show and with that vital course form always worth a pound or two of flesh, Evan Williams’ gelding can play his home advantage card to good effect.

Other than the odd excuse here and there, the seven-year-old has been in pretty consistent and reliable form throughout the season and his latest victory at Exeter, his second of the campaign, came courtesy of a useful speed figure. After travelling well in behind the speed at the West Country venue, the son of Sulamani stayed on strongly in the latter stages to easily get the better of Danny Whizzbang and with subsequent winner, Trixster, a further 16 lengths behind, the form looks solid. Just as effective on today’s ground as well as a softer surface, he can enhance his recent track stats of 122.

PLAINS INDIAN (NAP) (best price 11-2) wouldn’t have the experience of many of today’s rivals in this sort of environment, but he does possess quite a bit of ability and, off what appears a handy enough opening mark of 121, he can make his presence felt in his first attempt in handicap company.

Unlucky when falling at the last at Clonmel two starts ago, the son of Shantou was sent back to the Powerstown Park venue two weeks later in a bid to make amends and for those who laid the odds, they never had too many anxious moments. Picking up the running going well coming out of the back straight, Andrew Slattery’s gelding steadily worked his way clear approaching two out and by the time he’d hit the line, he’d pulled 16 lengths clear of his rivals in pretty tidy fashion. Moreover, his winning time figure was easily the best on the card and with the conditions likely to be pretty similar to what they were 26 days ago if the weather forecasters are proven correct, the lightly-raced six-year-old rates one of the standout bets of the day.

TWENTYSHARESOFGREY (best price 4-1) came out second best of a recent dual with Jack Ryan, but with a slightly more favourable draw and a better rub of the green, Kevin Philipart De Foy’s gelding can go some way to readdress the balance.

A slow start rather put the son of Markaz on the back foot 16 days ago and although he did his level best to try and rectify the situation late on, the dye was already cast. Moreover, given that the slowest part of the track was the place where he ended up delivering his challenge probably didn’t do him any favours, his performance deserves a little more praise than the bare result suggests. 212 at today’s venue, hopefully a better break can maintain those impressive stats and he deserves to be played accordingly.