Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

NOMADIC EMPIRE (best price 6/1) had to be marked down as an unlucky loser on his first start since undergoing a gelding operation at Ripon 18 days ago and, having run well on several occasions at today’s venue in the past, everything looks set fair for David O’Meara’s inmate to go close in his bid to make amends.

Rounding off last season with a couple of notable victories, including one over today’s C&D, the son of Kodiac was sent to surgery with a view to settling him down and on the evidence of what we witnessed on his first start for 196 days, he looks set for a bright future. Settling well in behind the speed at the Yorkshire venue, the four-year-old didn’t see any daylight until very late, but once out in the clear, he finished off his race to such effect, it would hard to suggest he wouldn’t have won with a clear run. Back over his optimum trip on ground that suits, this progressive sprinter makes plenty of appeal at the morning odds.

MINZAAL (NAP) (best price 5/2) represents a stable who clearly mean business this season based on recent results (75% strike rate) and having easily the best singular piece of form against his name courtesy of his massive effort in the big Group 1 sprint at Ascot last year, Owen Burrows’ gelding can kick start his campaign in the best possible fashion.

Installed favourite in some lists of the 2021 Guineas following two eye-catching performances, things didn’t quite work out as anticipated for the son of Mehmas, but once over his early-season issues, he came out towards the backend to prove what a quality horse he can be on his day. Runner-up over an inadequate trip on his first outing of the campaign at Ascot, he returned to the Berkshire venue to face the stiffest task of his life and other than a slow start and modest track position, he may have come out top of the pile. Much better served by fast ground than the late Autumn swamp he encountered 207 days ago, this classy chestnut can put an early marker down for the season at a track he’s already proven he can handle.

DELAHOUSSAYE (best price 7/2) ran a good bit better than the bare result suggested over today’s course last time out and with an extra two-furlongs hopefully to aid his cause on his return visit, Brian O’Rourke’s gelding can prove to be the joker in the pack.

Campaigned largely over 6/7f prior to coming here last time out, the son of Footstepsinthesand had no issues going the early pace, but then for some inexplicable reason, he totally lost his position coming out of the back straight and by the time the field had turned for home, he only had a few behind him. Rallying to the cause, however, he did make up some noticeable late ground in the latter stages and it’s that work in the final part of the contest that holds out hope he will more comfortable over today’s 1m2f journey. Either way, today’s contest is so poor even just a modicum of improvement should see a horse of his profile feature prominently and at the morning odds, he’s worth a crack to see whether he can finally get off the mark.