Today's Racing Tips from Andy Holding

NINE ELMS (NAP) (best price 13/8) has been plying his trade mainly on the all-weather in recent times but, as he has run well on all his three starts at today’s track, he might be capable of finally getting off the mark on turf.

Largely consistent without winning for a while, Roy Bowring’s gelding intimated at Wolverhampton last time it might not be too long before he has to wait before popping his head back in front again, and a repeat of the same level of form might just suffice. Heavily involved from the get-go in what turned out to be an extremely strongly run race for the grade, the nine-year-old was ultimately picked off in the end by the well-fancied English Spirit, but when you consider he had to burn up plenty of petrol in the early stages from his wide draw, his effort deserves to be upgraded. Take the winner out of the equation and he beat the rest by a whopping seven lengths and with his performance stemming from that fact he was fitted in blinkers for the first time, there’s every chance he will prove a significant factor here this afternoon with the same headgear in place.

SUGAR HILL BABE (best price 8/1) may have been a 250-1 poke on her debut, but she ran way better than her market price suggested, and with her performance also coming out well on the numbers, a repeat of something similar should be enough to see her right in the thick of the action once again.

Towards the rear in the early stages at the Midland venue, the daughter of Bungle Inthejungle took a while to find her stride in a race where the pace was strong from the outset, but she did eventually work out what was required and she came home to good effect down the middle of the track to finish a never-nearer third. Time-wise, it was a pretty decent return for her opening gambit and with the runner-up going on to run with great credit in the The Woodcote Stakes at Epsom last week, collaterally her form is as good as anything on offer.

COILL NA SIONAINNE (best price 3/1) shaped as though she was edging back to something like her best here last time and with tonight’s course a place where she’s often saved most of her best efforts for, the daughter of So You Think can add to her tally.

A dual winner last season, her best effort undoubtedly came at the Dublin venue this time a year ago and considering she almost repeated the dose on her return visit a week ago, it’s safe to say she has fond memories of the track. In midfield as the runners turned for home, Willie McCreery’s mare quickened up smartly down the outside to put it up to the well-fancied Chicago Bear inside the final furlong and although she couldn’t quite get passed the well-backed winner, she did finish well clear of the rest – many of whom came into the contest in good form. Although she’s won on good-to-firm ground, she does handle a bit of ease underfoot as well and hailing from a yard who have just struck a nice bit of form in the last few days, the six-year-old is fancied to add another winner to the list for her Co Kildare handler.

George Boughey has covered all ends of the class spectrum so far this season, winning the 1000 Guineas to nurturing young two-year-olds along the way, but he’s also proved he can place low-grade horses well and ARYAAH (best price 11/4), one of his big success stories at a fairly modest level, gets another chance to prove he still remains a well handicapped horse.

Just touched off at Leicester two starts ago, the son of Dandy Man was sent back to the Midland track in order to gain compensation and this time, he made no mistake. On the evidence of what we’ve seen of him so far to date in handicaps, he appears a strong stayer over the trip (both his last two speed figures have backed up that view) and with the size and scope of a horse that belies his current rating, he can continue his progression.

AUCKLAND (best price 7/2) has been in terrific order over hurdles of late, but he’s also quite handy on the Flat, so it would come as no surprise to see him follow up his recent success at Killarney off what appears a reasonable mark back in this sphere.

Runner-up in an extremely warm handicap at the Fairyhouse Easter festival despite still being a maiden over hurdles, Anthony Mullins’ inmate was sent to the Co Kerry venue in search of that elusive success and in what turned out to be a well-run affair, he came through strongly in the latter stages to claim the prize. Had the third home that day, Percival Legallois, stood on his feet at Wexford yesterday, he would have undoubtedly added to his name alongside The Gradual Slope as another winner out of the race and with his only previous run at today’s venue being a commendable one off a higher mark than his current rating, the son of Jukebox Jury can continue the good recent work since fitted with cheekpieces.