Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

GRANT WOOD (best price 7/2) is easily the most exposed member of today’s party, but at the same time, he does bring the best recent form to the party courtesy of his latest effort in handicap company and a repeat of something similar could be good enough to see him off the mark at the seventh attempt.

Picked up for 22k out of the Goffs September sale from Johnny Murtagh’s stable, the son of Caravaggio had his first outing for new connections in a hot-looking handicap for the grade at Leicester 13 days ago and on the evidence of his display at the Midland track, that money seems well spent. 

Setting strong fractions from the start, Eric Alston’s grey was still rocking along going down to the furlong pole and if it wasn’t for the late thrust of the well-fancied Bling On The Music, he would have caused a 33-1 shock. That said, he still ended up posting an extremely smart speed figure in defeat and with pace he showed likely to be seen to better advantage now dropping down in trip (first try at 6f) the three-year-old grey could be difficult to catch if similar tactics are adopted. 

MAY BLOSSOM (best price 6/1) has been quite productive this season, winning three times, and with her best performance on the figures coming when landing a competitive sprint over today’s C&D last time, there’s a decent chance David O’Meara’s inmate can add to her list of achievements.

A horse who usually has to be delivered late, it’s not always easy to get the timing right in these five-furlong handicaps where being in the right place at the right time is key, but off a strong gallop here 20 days ago, Jason Watson managed to judge things to perfection on his mount. Outpaced at the halfway stage, the daughter of Mayson still had plenty on her plate with just over a furlong to race, but once she got the bit between her teeth and the gaps appeared late, she didn’t need no second invitation to go and grab the opportunity that was presented to her. Hitting the line hard, the three-year-old filly eventually won with a bit to spare and with today’s contest likely to provide her with a similar strong pace to aim at, she’s fancied to swoop to conquer on ground she’s handled to decent effect in the past.