Thursday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

BIG NARSTIE (best price 13/2)  couldn’t quite go with the main players when trying a mile for only the second time in his career at the Essex venue last time out but now racing back over his optimum trip, Richard Spencer’s gelding rates a strong choice to take advantage of a career-low mark. 

Sent off 20/1 in what looked a hugely-competitive handicap on paper, the son of Cable Bay’s chances diminished even further after he got shuffled back through the field in the early stages and as the field turned for home, he still remained in an uncompromising position. However, he did quicken up nicely when a gap appeared up the inside rail to actually draw level with the main players at the furlong pole and it was only at that point when the huge effort to make up the lost ground took its toll. Fading back into fourth at the line, his performance probably deserves more credit that it appears at first glance and then when you consider the speed figure attached to the race 14 days ago, his display reads even better. Good enough to chase home the top-class Aldaary at Ascot off a mark of 92 just over a year ago, he now finds himself off a perch 14lb lower and although most of his performances in between times have contributed to his decline, on the evidence of his latest show, he’s also not quite a busted flush either.

BE LUCKY MY SON (best price 13/2) took his C&D record to 2-2 with a decisive victory here two weeks ago and with the blinkers on again that seemed to take his game to another level, there’s every reason to expect another bold bid. 

Well-backed on his fifth all-weather start, the son of Dandy Man was no better than mid-division as the field swept for home here 14 days ago, but from that point onwards he really kicked in the turbo and by the time he’d hit the line, he’d run out a comfortable winner. Posting an extremely smart speed figure the grade – much better than Class 4 level – Ralph Beckett’s gelding backed up the theory he’s a different proposition racing on an artificial surface and with the draw once again falling nicely in his favour (stall 5), he makes plenty of appeal at his morning odds.