Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

TILSITT (best price 8/1) doesn’t have the sexy profile of some of the younger participants and he’s certainly more exposed, but what he does have in his favour is an exemplary record at today’s track and he may well be capable of putting that valuable experience to good use.

Other than his first attempt at today’s venue, his form figures here read 333221213, and with the latest of those places efforts coming in strongly run race over a mile, there are plenty of positives to be carried forward to his next assignment over two furlongs further. It’s also worth pointing out that his speed figure and backend sectionals from 22 days ago come out better than one of today’s fancied runners, Noble Anthem, on the same card, so even allowing for the fact the three-year-old may still have improvement to come, there’s no way Mike Smith’s inmate should be almost four times the price.

One of the most sought-after prizes of the entire Galway Festival, a particular favourite of Willie Mullins, and of the six-strong field (not accounting for the first reserve) he sends to post in a bid to win it for the fourth time in the last decade, FAROUT (best price 5/1) could well turn out to be pick of the pile.

A smart hurdler just short of top class, the son of Dark Angel has already tasted success at today’s course courtesy of his victory in the opening novices’ event at this meeting last year and he arrives here in fair shape for a repeat bid based on his latest effort back on the Flat at Leopardstown recently. Having his first outing on the level for current connections, the five-year-old grey ran on well in the latter stages of a modestly-run affair over 1m4f and on the evidence of that display, he not only shaped as though he would be all the straighter for the run, but a stiffer test would see him in a much better light. Already proven in big-field handicaps over hurdles thanks to his run at the Punchestown Festival last season, his unexposed profile in this discipline looks set to be exploited from a potentially favourable draw.

A SURE WELCOME (best price 6/1) has been here so many times he could probably make his own way to the Berkshire venue, and it’s his valuable course knowledge which makes him such a tempting proposition at the morning odds.

Twice a winner here over the minimum trip, the son of Pastoral Pursuits added to his tally when scoring for the first time over tonight’s C&D two starts ago and although he failed in his bid to follow up that success last time out, he was by no means disgraced in a much better race. Having raced in Class 2 and 3 company for the last two seasons, it should come as a welcome relief to drop a level here this evening and although he faces several potential improvers from a younger generation, the eight-year-old can prove he can more than hold his own.

Had GRADULATIONS (best price 22/1) not run way below par at Down Royal last time out, there’s no way she would be considered a 22/1 shot based on her some of her previous form and, as there were legitimate excuses for her poor show, Andrew Oliver’s filly has to be worth a small each-way interest to back up that viewpoint.

Heading into her latest encounter following a smooth victory at Sligo, it was easy to see why the daughter of Mukhadram was a warm order to land the Ulster Oaks, but unfortunately, courtesy of a post-race endoscopic examination, she was unable to perform to her best having found to have blood in her trachea.

Looking back at some of her earlier efforts, the one when she finished runner-up to subsequent Group 2 third, One For Bobby, reads even better now with the likes of Red Azalea, Ha Ha Ha, Galleria Borghese and Hazy Mehmory all winning since and a repeat of something close to that level surely gives her a better chance than her morning odds imply. Moreover, she has the added experience of coming up a stiff uphill climb courtesy of her Cleveragh Road win and with her four runs this season all coming with plenty of ease in the ground, tonight’s conditions will suit her better than most.