Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Only five runners, but a competitive little fillies’ handicap nonetheless and SECRET SHADOW (best price 15/8) is fancied to repeat the patterns that developed last season – coming good as the Autumn leaves were falling. 

A dual winner in October last season, Andrew Balding’s filly took plenty of time to come to hand this term, but on the evidence of what we saw of her here last time out, she looks to be hitting top form as the underfoot conditions come in her favour. Held up in the rear of what turned out to be a well-run seven-runner affair, the daughter of Camelot was brought with a well-timed challenge by today’s pilot William Buick and just when her main rival Aggagio threatened to wrestle back the prize, she found extra reserves to gain the day close home. Knowing how tough the runner-up can be and went on to prove next time, her performance on the day deserves extra praise and with the time figure also matching several of her better previous efforts, the four-year-old can be confirm as definitely being back on song. Clearly well suited by today’s track, the only C&D winner in the field can confirm her love for the Sussex venue with career win number five.

BUSSELTON (best price 17/2) is a little frustrating in the sense he tends to finish second more often than not, but it also means he’s more likely to run his race than most and for that reason he makes for a solid each-way bet in this competitive and valuable prize. 

A smooth winner of a beginners’ chase at this meeting last year, it’s probably fair to say connections have had this prize in mind ever since and during the ten-race period since he’s been away from the Co Kerry venue, he’s yet to finish out of the money. Scoring on three more occasions, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding has also managed to finish placed in several Graded affairs and his latest effort back in handicap company, The Galway Blazers, was up there with some of his best performances on the clock. What his run at Ballybrit also proved was he has what it takes for a big-field, strongly run handicap verging on three miles and with today’s decent ground and flat track set to suit, the son of Mastercraftsman looks primed to give a good account. 

CARP KID (best price 7/1) is turned out quickly after running an eye-catching race at Newbury on Friday and providing he’s ridden with a little more positivity than he was at the Berkshire venue, John Flint’s gelding has every chance of being involved in the finish. 

Held up towards the rear five days ago, the son of Lope De Vega still had more behind him than in front at the two-furlong pole and it was only when he finally managed to see some daylight that he got into top gear. The way he hit the line suggested he would have finished a good deal closer with a bit more urgency and even though today’s race represents a slight step up in quality, his time figure from the other day suggests he has nothing to fear if they go a good gallop (Lawn Ranger and Teston likely to make it a good test).