Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

WE’RE ON THE WAY (best price 13-2) saw about as much daylight at the Curragh last time out as a serial poker player in Vegas, and with today’s contest no stronger in terms of quality, Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding can leave behind the string of bagels on his form figures.  

Having shown next to nothing in five starts last season, it was easy to see why the son of Gutaifan was sent off 25-1 on his opening start of the season, but had he obtained anything like a clear run at the Co Kildare venue 13 days ago, he would surely have gone very close to belying his position in the market. The way he travelled and finished off his race once out in the clear strongly hinted that he could be a good bit better than his current mark of 57 and with today’s top-quality pilot on board a clear signal of intent, the lightly-raced four-year-old can prove the joker in the pack.

EXMINSTER (best price 15-4) shaped as though the run would do him the world of good on his seasonal return at Beverley last time out and with the form from the race in question already beginning to take shape thanks to the exploits of the runner-up, Ed Bethell’s inmate rates a strong fancy to be involved. 
A rare first-time-out winner on his debut for his handler at Redcar back in July, the son of Ribchester went on to contest some pretty competitive nurseries towards the backend and with most of his time figures from those races all fairly healthy, he clearly has what it takes to land a decent pot or two when things fall in his favour. Indeed, it’s encouraging to know his best-ever number was achieved over today’s course in a race of similar quality and with the cheekpieces on for the first time seen as a positive step in galvanising the three-year-old to greater heights, he appeals as a decent each-way bet at the morning prices. 

DANCINGINTHEWOODS (NAP) (best price 5-2) caught the eye with the way he finished off his race on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket recently and with that effort likely to have brought him close to peak fitness following a 208-day layoff, Dean Ivory’s gelding is fancied to repeat his success in this race last year.

In keeping with his overall profile, the son of Garswood failed in his bid to strike first time out, but unlike his performance that previous season, he actually shaped with a good deal more promise in keeping on well from the back of the field at HQ to finish a creditable fourth in a red-hot handicap. Given the way he likes to be ridden off the speed, it’s no coincidence his three career victories have all come over stiff tracks where the pace often collapses late on and with fast ground also important to the five-year-old’s levels of performance, everything looks set fair for another bold show.

The ratings strongly suggest this should be a doddle for Straight Answer on his seasonal return but as history often dictates, it never normally works out as easy as that - especially with fitness unknown – so the percentage is to look towards NEW YORK CITY (best price 7-1) and RED LACEWING (best price 6-1), who have both had the benefit of a previous outing.

The former plied his trade against some pretty smart juveniles last season and even though he failed to break his maiden tag during that time, he left the impression he may do better once strengthening up over the winter. On the evidence of his opening gambit over today’s course last month, that theory certainly appeared to be the case, and with the speed figure pointing towards his performance being one of a potential pattern winner in-waiting, a chance is taken on Aidan O’Brien’s gelding making the grade. 

The latter has the most to find according to the official handicapper, rated just 95, but that assessment has on several occasions looked way short of her true worth and she could easily spring a surprise. Unlucky in her final outing at a juvenile when seeing very little daylight during the final two furlongs of the listed Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket, Fozzy Stack’s filly left the impression she was a good bit better than the bare result suggested on her first start of this campaign at Cork. After being squeezed out at the start, the daughter of No Nay Never ended up having to challenge on the slowest part of the track at the Mallow venue, so to get within shouting distance of the well-fancied winner was a fair effort under the circumstances. A smooth traveller with some smart speed figures attached to her CV, the three-year-old filly has a much better chance than her odds suggest.

FEMALE APPROACH (best price 5-1) ended up being too far back in a similar contest over today’s C&D last time out, but with the cheekpieces on for the first-time seen as a big help towards her levels of concentration, there’s more than a fair chance she can turn around the tables with her old rival, Scott Lang. 

A dual winner once upped in trip last season, Noel Meade’s filly began her campaign after a 132-day break in what appeared a very competitive staying handicap and she came out of the contest with great credit despite not having the rub of the green. Having only a few behind her as the field turned for home left her with a mountain to climb, but she somehow managed to get within two lengths of the eventual winner at the line which is testimony to her natural ability. Sure to be better for that initial outing and likely to be ridden a little closer to the speed, the daughter of Camelot rates a solid each-way choice at the morning odds. 

Of the rest, Buckman Tavern deserves more than a second glance based on his eye-catching reappearance at Leopardstown earlier in the month. His pilot that day, Seamie Heffernan, was clearly at pains to give his mount the most sympathetic of comebacks and with that job executed to the max, we should see the son of Partorius in a much better light here this afternoon.