Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

OSCAR MONTEL (best price 4/1) is undoubtedly better known for his exploits over fences, but he’s also more than capable of running to a decent standard over hurdles and being as today’s contest is held at a track where his form figures read 3126122, Charlie Longsdon’s gelding is given a sporting vote to topple recent winner Ladykiller. 

Tootling along happy in his own lane, the son of Oscar was all of a sudden asked to go and contest a hot Class 2 event over today’s course last time out and even though didn’t quite manage to win outside of his comfort zone, to finish second to the durable and classy Peregrine Run has to go down as a career high.

Whether he is simply peaking at the age of eight or the recently-fitted visor is partly the reason for his sudden improvement, who knows, but whatever the answer, it’s clear he arrives here this afternoon in top shape and primed to put up another bold bid at his happy hunting ground.

PRETENDING (best price 11/2) posted a smart time figure for a fillies’ restricted novice event at Southwell last time out and with the runner-up going on to advertise the form subsequently, Sir Mark Prescott’s looks way overpriced in her bid to follow suit. 

The daughter of Make Believe didn’t show much on her debut on her only start at two but, backed from 18-1 into a price a third of those odds at the Midland venue on her first outing for 284 days, she justified the gamble in gutsy fashion.

Coming under pressure some way out, she impressed with the way she kept finding for driving inside the final furlong and that trait will hopefully remain as a vital commodity throughout her career. In-keeping with most inmates from her yard, stamina seems to be her strong point and with the potential of more to come with that initial run under her belt, the lightly-raced grey makes plenty of appeal from an each-way perspective. 

PRIMI ORDINIS (NAP) (best price 9/4) has shown improved form for each of her three starts to date and, with what appears to be a more than favourable mark for her opening gambit in a handicap, Ed Walker’s filly can make hay over a trip that should suit. 

Only showing mild promise on her debut at Sandown back in April, connections were hoping for a good deal better following a 74-day break at Ffos Las next time and their prayers were answered with the daughter of Frankel catching the eye with the way she finished off her race in the latter stages.

Upped in trip and against some useful sorts at Windsor last time out, her performance levels went up a notch further when she stayed on from the rear to finish a never-nearer third to the smart Shampion and with the form of the race boosted recently by the fifth, Spanish (now rated 83), she appears to have done well to come out of that contest with a perch of just 75.

Whether today’s surface turns out to be suitable only time will tell, but either way, the lightly-raced grey has the capabilities to make her presence felt in a race of this nature if it does.