Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

DECCAN WARRIOR (best price 10/1) shaped a good deal better than his finishing position suggested on his debut at Thirsk last month and being the type who looks as though he will improve markedly for that initial outing, Kevin Ryan’s colt is fancied to make more of impact second time up in this similar event.

A little slow away at the Yorkshire venue, the chestnut was still in the rear at the halfway stage of a generously run affair and although he only made belated late headway towards the main players, things might have been different if he’d received a smoother passage.

Not knocked about in any way, the kindness afforded in his direction is likely not to be lost on the son of Kessaar and even though the favourite, Miss Brazen, deserves a huge amount of respect, beyond her he doesn’t have too much to fear. With that in mind, he’s also worth playing in the ‘without the favourite’ market.

BIG MEETING (best price 11/4) turned in imperious display of raw power when scoring in style at Chelmsford last time out and provided Saeed Bin Suroor’s gelding can overcome a step up in trip, he has every chance of following up.

Returning from nearly a year off and fitted with the first-time cheekpieces, the son of Shamardal looked to have stiff task on paper carrying 10st 2lb and being drawn out in stall 13, but despite a tardy start and being forced to race on the wing for the first half of the journey, he still had way too much for his 12 rivals, including the highly-regarded Kingman colt, Assessment (sent off 2-5). Moreover, the speed figure he produced was one of a very smart performer and with a pedigree that strongly points in favour of him getting beyond a mile, the lightly-raced five-year-old can hopefully defy his second high draw in succession.

DARK SPARK (NAP) (best price 9/4) was in rampant form on the Flat at Listowel last week and with his attentions now switched back to the jumping game, Michael Winters’ gelding has a golden opportunity to retain his unbeaten track record.

Victorious in a bumper over today’s course on his debut back in October 2020, the son of Presenting returned to the Westmeath venue over hurdles a year later and he ran out an equally impressive winner, staying on strongly in the latter stages to beat a competitive field. Sent chasing after a decent performance behind the useful Top Bandit at Punchestown back in November, the six-year-old had a mixed record in two starts and it was at that point connections decided to give him some time off.

Returning at action on the level after a 174-day break, he appeared to be up against in taking on the likes of classy pair Barbados (rated 104) and Dance Jupiter (93), but as it turned out, he proved more than a match for his better-fancied rivals. Staying on strongly in the latter stages of a 1m5f conditions race, he proved everything is in full working order despite his sabbatical and that display should give connections hope for a big summer ahead. With the likes of the Galway and Listowel Festivals not a million miles away, no doubt his shrewd trainer will have one eye on potential races for his lightly-raced gelding, but for now, Dark Spark will continue his merry way in events of tonight’s nature and with fitness, track craft and conditions all in his favour, he can provide his in-form handler with his fourth winner in a week.