Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DAPHNE MAY (best price 7/2) has to contend with a rise in class following her convincing success over today’s C&D last time out, but such was the speed figure she posted here 13 days ago, there’s a decent chance Adam West’s filly will prove equal to the task.

A winner on the turf last summer, the daughter of Mayson had rather struggled in the interim period, but following a 125-day break, she came roaring back to form in a competitive fillies’ handicap. Held up towards the rear of the six-strong field in the early strides, the four-year-old was still last place as the runners swung for home, but with a strong late surge inside the final furlong, she managed to get herself out of hole to win going away. Clearly enjoying the polytrack better than the deeper surface she’d been encountering previously at Chelmsford during the winter, the time figure she produced also hinted she ran her best speed figure of her career, and with the distinct possibility of even more to come (would have won more easily had she obtained a clearer run), today’s opponents look well within her capabilities.

JUSTIFIED (best price 3/1) split two in-form rivals at Stratford last time out and with the numbers from that race a month ago strongly pointing in the direction of it being an above average one of its kind, Neil King’s gelding is fancied to keep the ball rolling for his in-form handler.

Readily outpointed in several useful maiden hurdles where he had little to no chance of winning, the son of Authorized has been a good deal more competitive since running in handicaps and as one of those efforts came over today’s C&D against the progressive Hiway One O Three, his ability to handle the track and run to a fair level in doing so should stand him in good stead. Moreover, his latest effort against another improver 23 days ago was easily his best on the clock and hailing from a stable whose last two runners have both won, the five-year-old looks to have strong claims on every count.

EXIT TO WHERE (best price 11/4) has been gradually working himself into top form of late and with his graph almost going in an identical direction to this time last year, back-to-back victories in the race are very much on the cards.

A creditable fifth in the final of the Monet’s Garden Series at Carlisle two starts ago, the son of Kapgarde went back to the Cumbrian venue to contest another competitive heat on his return visit a month later and although he couldn’t quite take advantage of a drop in grade, the time figure from the race suggested he produced a career best effort in defeat. Although he’s clearly fully effective over 2m4f, today’s extra half a mile holds no fears, and with conditions almost identical to what they were twelve months ago, the eight-year-old repelling Irish raider and main danger on paper, Hereditary Rule.

GHATHANFAR (best price 3/1) hasn’t won for a little while, but he intimated last time that he’s not a million miles off returning to his best and with today’s race representing a huge drop in quality to what he faced at Thirsk eight days ago, Tracy Waggott’s gelding can seize the opportunity with both hands. 

Winless since scoring at Redcar this time last year, the son of Invincible Spirit worked his way up through the ratings without registering another victory and its taking him further six months to slip back down to a mark where he can once again become competitive. Well-backed to take advantage of a mark of 73 at the Yorkshire venue last time out, the six-year-old looked as though he’d got the race safely tucked away until the late thrust of Asadjumeirah nailed him on the line, but given the speed figure and general quality of the race, connections should take plenty of comfort out of the agonising defeat. On the evidence of that display, today’s specialist trip should prove absolutely ideal, so despite the presence of several in-form rivals, he’s still fancied to press home his class.