Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

BURJ MALINKA (best price 7/1) did really well to finish as close-up as he did at Hamilton last time out considering the track bias and with that performance strongly suggesting he still remains in peak form, Adrian Nicholls’ gelding can continue the good work. 

A game winner at the Scottish venue back in May, the son of Pride Of Dubai returned to the scene of that triumph after a 68-day mid-summer break to be successful again and he might have made it three victories on the spin had his draw been a little more favourable last time out. Positioned over the far side of the track 20 days ago, the four-year-old chestnut was soon fighting a losing battle with those who had the benefit of racing on the faster strip of ground towards the nearside rail, but even so, he kept on willingly all the way to the line to finish easily the best of those drawn low. Reunited with his previous winning pilot, Barry McHugh, easy ground and a draw right down the middle of the track should see him right in the thick of the action from the outset. 

The sight of a lightly-raced three-year-old trained by William Haggas on handicap debut is enough to strike fear in the heart of the bookmakers, but at the prices, there may be one or two better options and MY LITTLE QUEENS (best price 7/1) most certainly fits into that category. 

A smooth winner over today’s C&D on her final outing last season, Richard Fahey’s filly has enjoyed a pretty productive campaign since returning to the fray in mid-June and her record may have got a little better at Newcastle last time out had she received a clearer run inside the final two furlongs. Having to sit and suffer while the race developed around her, the daughter of Mastercraftsman finished her race off with enough petrol in the tank to suggest she would have been a big player with a smoother passage and given the speed figure and overall standard of the form, it was a performance that intimates she still remains well treated. Back on the grass with her favoured surface in place, the four-year-old filly makes for a compelling each-way alternative to the favourite. 

BELLESTREET BRIDIE (best price 7/2) has struck a rich vein of form since fitted with the visor and with Michael Bell’s filly returning to the scene of her most impressive performances both visually and on the clock, she’s fancied to complete the hat trick. 

Other than unseating rider at Chepstow back in June, she has form figures of 23211 since sporting the new headgear and she’s also proved fairly versatile regarding tactics. Making all to score here a month ago, the daughter of Sir Percy came from off the pace at Southwell last time out and with both victories strongly pointing towards a filly still ahead of the assessor, she can take advantage of still being eligible for class 4 races.

GEREMIA (best price 15/2) has been coming out of the stalls as if someone is holding his tail in recent times, but as we saw here last time, he’s more than capable of overcoming adversity and a race of this nature is surely well within his grasp if he doesn’t fall asleep again today. 

Although he’s run with credit at trips north of 1m4f, he seems to be best coming off a strong pace over today’s trip and following an eye-catching run in a hot handicap at York’s Ebor meeting, Jim Goldie’s gelding went on to better that effort based on the figures here last time. Once again a little tardy out of the gates, the four-year-old soon found himself in an uncompromising position at the tail of the field, but to his great credit, he stayed on incredibly well in the final half a mile to be a never-nearer second at the finish. Considering he also met trouble in running, his performance has to go down as an unlucky one, and even if he doesn’t hit the lids all guns blazing on his return to Gosforth Park, there’s every chance he will hit the frame at the very least.