Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

FAT SAM (best price 5/2) proved no match for the well-handicapped Oceanline in a decent novices’ hurdle at Worcester last time out, but it was still a good enough effort on the figures to suggest he could well be a potent force if repeating a similar level of form back over fences. 

In sparkling form over fences during the Autumn period last season, a couple of slightly below par performances since returning from a break prompted connections to seek refuge back over hurdles and their decision seems to have worked out well based on his two subsequent efforts.

A smooth victory at Ffos Las was followed by his splendid run at the Midland venue a week ago and with the clock suggesting it was a fair race of its kind, the son of Denham Red can take plenty of encouragement with him going forward now returning to his more renown discipline. 

DIDN’THAVEMUCHTODO (best price 5/2) won in the style of a hugely improved filly at Naas last time out and with connections no doubt having to rethink what kind of avenue she’s sent down for the future, tonight’s contest looks a decent stepping stone for her to continue her progression. 

Based on her opening two performances, it was easy to see why Joseph O’Brien’s filly was sent off a 40-1 chance on her third start at the Co Kildare venue, but despite the market unease, she came through strongly at the business end to defy her odds.

At a track where it’s notoriously difficult to make ground from the back of the field, the daughter of Highland Reel managed to run the last four furlongs quicker than the listed race won by Galleria Borghese over the same C&D and in also lowering the colours of hot favourite Only, she strongly hinted pattern races could come into the conversation sooner rather than later. Scopey enough to realise that sort of potential, the lightly-raced three-year-old can give tonight’s favourite, Mctigue, plenty to think about. 

AMAZONIAN DREAM (best price 9/2) made up for a luckless passage over tonight’s C&D two starts ago with a bounce back victory at Bath last time out, so even though Rod Millman’s gelding technically has plenty to find with old rival Lequinto on their previous encounter, there’s a fair chance he can reverse the form.  

A creditable fourth behind last week’s big sprint handicap winner, Lethal Levi, at Haydock back in May, the son of Bungle Inthejungle was in the process of improving on that position when stopped in his run on several occasions at tonight’s Berkshire venue a month later.

Well-supported to make amends on his latest start 12 days ago, the three-year-old overcame a slow beginning to eventually pick off the pace-setting Recon Mission inside the final furlong and with the time figure working out extremely good for the grade, it’s clear he arrives here in the form of his life.