Saturday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

As history dictates, backing hold-up horses on the straight track at Ascot has been a profitable exercise over the years and in the shape of CHIEFOFCHIEFS (best price 12/1) and BLESS HIM (best price 14/1), we have two archetypal performers who know a thing or two about winning races of today’s nature from the back of the field,

The former is a bit of a frustrating character, but he did really well to finish as close as he did in the Buckingham Palace Handicap over today’s C&D last time out and even though Charlie Fellows’ gelding is never one to engage maximum stakes, he still rates a reasonably strong each-way choice at the morning odds with most firms paying out on six places.

An eye-catcher when unlucky in the run in the Victoria Cup here back in May, the nine-year-old was a popular choice with many punters to feature in a similar contest back at the Berkshire venue a month later and despite not receiving the clearest of runs for the second time on the spin, he still managed to reward those who played him each-way. Drawn towards the nearside, the son of Royal Applause ended up towards the far side as the race developed and given how strongly he hit the line, he may have been an even bigger feature with a slightly smoother passage. Not easy to win with, he will need many factors to fall his way if he is to oblige, but with today’s contest likely to pan out in his favour, the confirmed track specialist can once again acquit himself with great credit.

The latter can easily be placed in a similar mould, sometimes flattering to deceive, but on the evidence of his recent exploits, he probably deserves a better press than has sometimes been the case. Winner of the Britannia Handicap here back in 2017, David Simcock’s gelding has by and large run with credit each time he’s faced today’s straight track and his latest attempt in the Royal Hunt Cup was a better one than the bare result suggested. Drawn away from where the main action took place, the seven-year-old was noted doing some sterling late work out of camera shot to finish a never-nearer seventh and on that basis, he looks overpriced in relation to the eventual winner, Dark Shift. Going on to confirm his wellbeing when accounting for quite a few of today’s rivals in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last time out, a repeat of a similar level of form should see the son of Sea The Stars a big player at the business end.

LETHAL LEVI (best price 11/4) impressed with the way he totally dismantled a high-quality field of three-year-old sprinters over today’s C&D last time out and with the distinct likelihood of Karl Burke’s gelding obtaining a similar early advantage, he’s fancied to repeat the dose on his return to HQ.

Runner-up in a keenly-contested affair on his previous visit to the Cambridgeshire venue, the son of Lethal Force clearly benefitted from that initial experience of the July Course with the way he grasped the nettle two weeks later. Jumping out the gates with plenty of intent, he soon established a lovely rhythm at the head of affairs and despite being attacked on all sides, he never once looked like relinquishing the lead. Clocking a smart speed figure in the process, the improving sprinter took his game to another level and if he can continue his progression as anticipated, he is likely to prove difficult to beat in his search for career win number six.

DANNI CALIFORNIA (best price 3/1) proved a step up in trip here last time was no barrier to success and given that she seemingly scored with a bit in hand, Richard Spencer’s grey should have enough up her sleeve to follow up on her return to the Knavesmire.

A winner over 1m6f at Wetherby three starts ago, the decision to drop her back two furlongs backfired on connections at Thirsk next time, but having learnt from that harsh lesson, the daughter of The Gurkha made amends in no uncertain terms on her latest outing. Held up towards the rear after her typically slow start, the four-year-old made her move soon after the three-furlong pole and with a relentless run down the outside of the field, she ended up passing all her rivals to score going away.

Despite clocking another smart speed figure in the process, she still gets to race in Class 4 company and with her run style clearly well suited by the way races often pan out here on the round course, she can continue her step up the ladder.

SAGA (NAP) (best price 7/4) was universally accepted as one of the unluckiest losers at Royal Ascot a month ago and with the subsequent form of the Britannia handicap working out in exemplary fashion, John & Thady Gosden’s colt is strongly fancied to make amends.

Fitted with the tongue-tie and blinker combination for the first time, the son of Invincible Spirit was ridden in stark contrast to the way he was when a beaten favourite the time before (tried to make all the running) and even though the end product was a good deal more productive, he left the impression he was the best horse in the race despite being defeated.

The way he finished off his race from the back of the field was one of the defining memories of the five-day meeting and with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Koy Koy, and Claim The Crown all going on to boost the form since it’s easy to come to the conclusion he ran a career-high. Clearly better suited to patient waiting tactics rather than the forceful ride that got him beaten here the time before, the regally-bred three-year-old can press home the theory that he’s a Group-race performer in waiting if ridden in a similar fashion on his return the same C&D.