Today's Racing Tips from Andy Holding

ORBAAN (best price 11-2) has caught the eye on both of his last two runs and with one of them coming over today’s course, a return to the Knavesmire should see David O’Meara’s gelding put up another bold bid.

Never a factor in the red-hot Victoria Cup at Ascot, the seven-year-old was eased in grade in a bid to find his way back into the winner’s enclosure here next time and if it wasn’t for getting stopped in his tracks on many occasions, he may have prevailed. Well-backed to make amends at the Surrey venue last week, the son of Invincible Spirit did well to finish as close as he did considering how far behind he was at halfway and with today’s course seen as a much more suitable venue for hold-up horses, a smoother passage this time around ought to see him competitive at the business end.

RAVENS ARK (NAP) (best price 10-3) just found the steep rise in grade catching him out in the closing stages here last time out, but he was by no means disgraced, and now back down to a more realistic level, Hughie Morrison’s gelding can resume winning ways.

A dual winner last season, the son of Raven’s Pass carried on where he left off with a convincing success at Lingfield following a 252-day break and even though he progress was halted somewhat last time, his performance actually comes out very well on the numbers. Holding every chance two out at the Sussex venue, the four-year-old just succumbed to three horses who are all on the improve, but with seemingly nothing of a similar magnitude in terms of opposition on his return visit here tonight, there’s every reason to feel upbeat about his chance.

HURRICANE ALI (best price 15-8) bounced back to form at Bangor last time after being slightly disappointing the time before and with one of the main reasons for upturn in fortunes being a drop back to the minimum trip, the decision to keep the status quo going should reap similar dividends.

Forced to race around the inside on the swamp over 2m4f at Uttoxeter back in April, John Mackie’s was rather the forgotten horse of the race at the Welsh venue a month later and as it turned out, the decision by punters to desert him proved a poor one. Always travelling well 27 days ago, the six-year-old picked up the running after the second last and from that point onwards he gradually worked his way clear for a comfortable victory. Due to the strong pace throughout, his overall speed figure that day unsurprisingly worked out well and with the likelihood of a decent gallop on here this evening with El Barracho and Koi Dodville in the field, the son of Althebayeb should have a similar set-up to last time.