Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Both ADVJUANT (best price 20/1) and MUGADER (best price 12/1) seem to be progressing at similar rates in line with stiffer tests, and even though they will have to improve again to get to the level shown by Secret State, the early morning prices dictate they are worth small interests against the field.

The former, despite running well on his first three starts this season, seemed to be treading water over 1m2f, so it came as no great surprise to see him step up markedly on his previous achievements with a deserved victory at Newmarket over two furlongs further last time out.

Up against the well-backed previous Goodwood winner Bizarre Law and Cumberland Plate hero Commonsensical, the son of New Bay showed good battling qualities to gain the day over the latter in the closing stages and with the pair well clear of the former, the form reads well on paper.

The feature of that performance was how well he travelled over the trip in relation to his previous assignments and with a likely strong gallop looking almost certain to be the case in this opener, Michael Bell’s inmate can be seen to good effect.

The latter appeared to get bogged down on soft ground here two starts ago, but on a much friendlier surface at Doncaster last time out, Richard Hannon’s colt really came of age. Held up off solid fractions on Town Moor, the scopey chestnut came bounding through from the rear with a withering run down the outside two out and from that point onwards, the damage he inflicted on his five rivals was quite marked. Clearly progressive on the evidence of that display and one of the few in today’s field with a run under his belt over today’s track, the son of Olympic Glory deserves more respect than the market affords him.

DREAMCASING (NAP) (best price 7/4) has left the impression on his last two starts he could be quite a bit better than his current rating and with today’s wide-open, straight track offering him plenty of chance to find his stride, it will be a bitter disappointment to all concerned if he wasn’t good enough to land a race of this lowly nature.

A springer in the market on his seasonal/turf debut after a 120-day break, Grant Tuer’s gelding did all that he could from what turned out to be an unfavourable draw, but unfortunately, he just found one too good up the nearside rail. That said, the time figure was very good for the grade and with form having taken several boosts since with the likes of Canaria Queen and Ustath winning next time, it’s very easy to upgrade his effort.

Heavily backed to do his own bit for the race at the Yorkshire venue at Catterick next time, he plain and simply failed to handle the sharp nature of the course, which was exacerbated even further by a pronounced front-running track bias. Back on a more conventional circuit here this afternoon, the only possible issue could arise if the field drifted over towards the far side rail and he ended up getting blocked in his run, but other than that slight negative, he really ought to have all bases covered.

TWO TEMPTING (best price 9/4) has been quite highly tried on his last three starts, particularly at Ascot last time out, and now back into much calmer waters of a Class 5 event, Johnathan Portman’s gelding has a decent chance of getting his back in front.

Despite finishing only fifth on the nine-strong field at the Berkshire venue 19 days ago, the three-year-old chestnut comes out really well on the figures in the context of today’s assignment and having had the valuable experience of running over this course twice in the past, hopefully, that significant factor will count for plenty in the final analysis.

Matthew Smith got this season’s Galway Festival up and running with Flaming Moon here yesterday and in the shape of COZONE (best price 6/1), the Co Meath handler has another decent chance of adding to his already impressive record at this meeting over the years (famously won three times in seven days with One Cool Poet).

A talented if sometimes tricky customer with James Ferguson in the UK, the son of Pour Moi found his way to his new home courtesy of last year’s HIT sales for 14k and that price tag may turn out to be money well spent on the evidence of his most recent performance at Killarney. Noted going well on the heels of the leaders in a well-run two-mile contest, the five-year-old proceeded to get no run from the two-furlong pole and in the end, he had to settle for a minor role while finishing off his race full of running.

The one positive to take out of that unlucky effort was the fact he seemed to stay the trip well enough and with champion Colin Keane a notable booking for his latest assignment, hope is high Cozone can prove good enough to hit the frame at the very least.

MY AMBITION (best price 5/2) not only overcame a marked drift on his first outing for 176 days at Newbury last time out, he also managed to conqueror stall 15 of 15, and having been seemingly found a decent opportunity by connections to follow up that surprise success, Denis Coakley’s gelding rates a confident choice to do so.

Winless heading into his seasonal bow despite being a subject of strong market support on his final two starts as a juvenile, the son of Galileo Gold was sent to the operating theatre in the hope being gelded might turn around his fortunes and on the evidence of what came about at the Berkshire venue, the cruellest cut of all has made all the difference. Held up behind the smaller group towards the stands’ side rail, Denis Coakley’s inmate settled into a decent rhythm after being a little keen through the early exchanges and then when asked to go about his business inside the final two furlongs, he picked up in ready style to swoop past the entire field.

Seemingly winning with plenty in hand, the lightly-raced chestnut clocked a very good time figure for the grade and being as he was the only horse on the evening to score racing on the wrong part of the track, his performance deserves even further praise. Considering how well he travelled 27 days ago, a drop back down in trip shouldn’t be any concern and with Helluvaboy bound to take the field along at a decent pace, he is likely to take all the beating off what still appears a very favourable mark.