Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Both MIGDAM (best price 4/1) and WANEES (best price 8/1) represent strong form lines coming into this race and, as a result, are worth playing against the field.

The former arrives here following a hat trick completed at Doncaster last time out and with the speed figure intimating it was a fair race of its kind (third won since), Sir Michael Stoute’s colt is clearly a three-year-old on an upward curve. Moreover, the way he hit the line at Town Moor suggested he could have a good deal more to offer and with the yard already striking gold with a similar type earlier this week, confidence is high he can continue the good work.

The latter has to be worth a small interest for followers of the Britannia Handicap and with the likelihood of today’s extra trip being of some benefit, it would be daft to leave him out of calculations. Strong at the finish after being held up towards the rear at the Berkshire venue, the form of the race in question couldn’t have worked out any better and with the prospect of more to come over today’s extra two furlongs, has the class to be in the mix if settling in the early stages.

ON TIME (NAP) (best price 11/4) proved a total revelation when revisiting three miles at Newton Abbot last time out and with the time figure of that victory suggesting there was no fluke about the performance, Evan Williams’ mare rates a strong choice to follow up.

Having not shown a great deal in six subsequent starts, including once over fences, it was easy to see why the daughter of Dylan Thomas was the outsider of four at the West Country venue against some in-form mares, but having bounced out with a degree of intent from the outset, she never saw a rival in running out a comfortable 12-length winner. Moreover, her winning time, over ten seconds faster than the 129-rated Hell Red over the same C&D, was also backed up by a miles quicker final circuit than Paul Nicholls’ classy chaser, so with that info in mind, she really ought to be taking care of similar opposition if anywhere near the same mood.

Nashwa flies the flag for a generation probably not quite so dominant against the older horses as anticipated, so therefore she is passed over in favour of LILAC ROAD (best price 6/1) who has an overall profile to suggest she should be good enough to be in the money at the very least.

A consistent filly at listed level last season, William Haggas’ inmate shaped as though just in need of the run on her first start of the campaign at Newmarket and with that all-important outing under her belt, she duly obliged next time at York. Taking on Group 2 opposition for the first time, the daughter of Mastercraftsman was given a patient ride towards the rear of the field on the Knavesmire and then when asked to go and win her race inside the final two furlongs, she found a ready turn of foot to claim the prize close home.

Clearly much better suited to be ridden in that fashion over 1m2f, the four-year-old chestnut will hopefully receive similar tactics here today and having already proven she handles the undulations of the Sussex Downs last season, it’s hard to see her not going well against many fillies she’s already beaten in the past.

FAROUT (best price 12/1) received the kind of ride here the other night that infuriates the life out of punters and providing Danny Mullins goes about his business in a far more conservative manner aboard his mount, Willie Mullins’ gelding has a chance of making up for what can only be described as a total disaster.

Not good enough for the very best at Grade 1 level last season, the son of Dark Angel found life a good deal easier when he filled out second in a competitive handicap at the Punchestown Festival and given the way he finished off his race that day, there’s clearly scope to be garnered from his current mark over hurdles. Laid out for the amateur rider race back on the Flat here on the first day of the festival, the intention was clearly to make use of his decent draw in stall 3, but unfortunately for his backers (me included), his pilot Jodie Townend spent the first three-quarters of the race with her feet on the dashboard getting no cover whatsoever around the outside.

As a consequence, the five-year-old grey ended up folding like a pack of cards inside the final furlongs having expended way too much energy in a strongly run race, but it was a performance not without credit considering what transpired. A previous winner over today’s C&D, he clearly gets on well around the contours of Ballybrit and with the distinct likelihood of a strong pace being the order of the day, this classy performer should give his supporters a decent spin at rewarding odds.

SPARKLING BEAUTY (best price 5/1) caught the eye with the way she finished of her race in pleasing fashion on debut at Newbury last month and with the distinct possibility of improvement to come, Richard Hughes’ filly makes quite a bit of appeal at the morning prices.

Well-touted prior to her opening bow at the Berkshire venue, the daughter of Oasis Dream raced prominently throughout and although she couldn’t quite match the winner in the closing stages, she did more than enough to suggest a bright future beckons. The fact that she jumped alertly and had no issues going the decent early pace is a good thing in relation to her draw here this afternoon and considering she was also pretty strong towards the backend, everything adds up for her playing a significant role in this similar contest.