Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

USTATH (best price 3/1) has been gradually running himself back into form in recent times and following a most encouraging performances at Hamilton last time out, Roger Fell’s gelding can resume winning ways back at a track where’s he’s enjoyed quite a bit of success in the past.

Last successful over a year ago, it’s been a bit of struggle for the son of Exceed And Excel since, but for nine tenths of journey at the Scottish venue six days ago it looked like he was going to roll back the years. Setting a strong pace from the start, it was only the late thrust of Rain Cap that prevented him from making all, but when you consider the speed figure and the fact he finished well clear of the rest, his performance carries quite a bit of credit. Although one swallow doesn’t necessarily make a summer, it was certainly a step in the right direction and having scored over today’s C&D three times off higher marks than today’s, the six-year-old chestnut is worth a small roll of the dice.

Mauiewowie made the perfect introduction to her racing career over tonight’s C&D a month ago and will no doubt be a popular choice with many to follow up, but whether she deserves to be quite so short in the betting based on her speed figure and the kind of opposition she now faces is open to debate. LADY HOLLYWOOD (best price 11/2), on the other hand, has produced a couple of notable times in her last two victories and at the morning prices, she rates the percentage call as the each-way alternative.

Promising on her first two outings, including when fourth to subsequent Queen Mary runner-up, Maylandsea, the daughter of Havana Grey got off the mark on her next start at Lingfield and she duly followed up against similar opposition at Beverley last time out. Breaking smartly from the gates, she soon found herself in front over on the favoured far side rail and without being asked too many serious questions, she gradually pulled clear from her rivals once establishing a lead from two out.

Although she didn’t beat anything of any great note at the Yorkshire venue, it was interesting to find that not only was her overall speed figure faster than the two other races over the five-furlong trip, her final three-furlong sectional of 35.5 was considerably quicker than the 37.8 and 37.9 posted by the older horses. Based on that knowledge, it comes as little surprise to see connections raise this improving filly in class, and with a run style to suggest she can pretty much cover all moves in the early exchanges, Alice Haynes’ filly can make the trip over the Irish Sea a rewarding one.

LIBERATION POINT (best price 7/2) was heavily involved in a much hotter race than he faces this evening at Chelmsford last time out and having run extremely well on the figures in defeat, he’s fancied to take advantage of a drop back down to Class 4 company.

Pushed forward from his outside gate to lead early doors, Michael Appleby’s gelding still held the advantage turning for home but despite giving it all he’d got in the closing stages, he ended up succumbing to the stronger finish of the eventual winner Karibana. However, given the overall profile of Richard Hughes’ gelding at the track, there’s was no disgrace in chasing him home and, as far as speed figures are concerned, even a four-length losing margin still registered close to a career high.

Posting another smart number the time before at Chester, clearly the headgear that has been applied on his last two starts has done wonders for his levels of form and another likely attacking ride from the front can reap even further rewards.