Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

ON THE PLATFORM (best price 9/2) has to overcome a 202-day absence if he’s to be successful on his seasonal bow, but it’s worth noting he went well first time out last season, so there’s every hope he will do so again at a track his enjoys.

Returning to action roughly the same time last year, John Groucott’s gelding had the misfortune to bump into the well-handicapped Presenting Bob (now rated 109) in an above-average race for the grade at Bangor and although he couldn’t quite gain that illusive victory he deserved in four subsequent races, he did manage to finish in the money each time.

Unlucky not to land a similar heat at Ludlow next time, when a bad mistake four out cost him dear, he left the impression three miles, particularly on testing ground, just stretched his stamina to the limit on his last three outings.

Back over what should turn out to be his optimum trip on his favoured ground, the locally-trained six-year-old should give a good account if somewhere his best.

DIAMOND VEGA (NAP) (best price 9/2) may have only landed a four-runner novice event at Haydock last time out but she did so in the style of a potentially smart filly and with the speed figure she posted backing up that view, he’s fancied to make the jump into pattern company a seamless one.

Really promising behind a useful type on debut at Kempton (form has worked out well since), Ralph Beckett’s filly carried plenty of confidence forward into her next assignment at the Merseyside venue a month later and despite there being several concerns regarding the underfoot conditions, she cast aside those pre-race nerves with aplomb.

Noted travelling well in behind the speed set by Gemini Star, the daughter of Lope De Vega showed a decent turn of foot once asked to go and take down the front runner, and with her last three furlongs by some way the quickest on the card – including the older horse handicap won by Sterling Knight over the same C&D – it’s little surprise to see connections are keen on seeking some black type before the season ends.

Clearly well-suited by a strongly run six-furlongs on soft ground, this smart filly in the making can continue her trainer’s fantastic run results with his juveniles.

UDABERRI (best price 4/1) ran really well from an uncompromising position over today’s C&D last time and in a race that probably doesn’t have the same strength in depth as it did 24 days ago on paper, Shaun Woods’ gelding has every chance of going one place better.

Returning to the all-weather scene after several decent efforts on turf, the son of Mastercraftsman found himself in last place as the field went past the stands and although he managed to work himself into a slightly better position turning for home, he still had the guts of six to seven lengths to make up on the main players in the straight. To his great credit, he did really well in the circumstances to finish a never-nearer second and with the time figure very good and the form boosted by the runner-up, Sooghan, last week, his performance deserves special recognition.

Likely to be given time to find his stride again on his return to the Midland venue, particularly as he’s posted out in stall 14, the three-year-old grey can be seen to good effect where it counts.

LEABALAND (best price 10/3) left the impression he was more than a shade unlucky not to take home the main prize here in a similar race two weeks ago and with his wide draw also likely to help him jump onto the quicker part of the track in the home straight – if last week was anything to go by – the five-year-old is fancied to make amends.

More renowned for his exploits over a mile, including two C&D victories, the five-year-old was always likely to find a furlong short of his best a tough ask 14 days ago, but to his credit, he may have ended up winning with a clear run in the closing stages.

A well-built sort with an action made for this surface, a return to his optimum should see him hard to beat in what looks a pretty uninspiring contest.

Amortentia caused yet more pain for his legion of supporters here last time, once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (touched 1.04 in running), and while it’s conceded that he could easily win a race of this nature judged on his overall form and profile, the safest option might be to play GOLDEN TWILIGHT (best price 6/1) as an each-way alternative to the jolly.

Although more than useful on the turf, it’s tonight’s track where the son of Dawn Approach really excels and his latest victory here back in August goes a long way to back up that view. Ridden just off the speed, the five-year-old picked up the running turning for home and in staying on strongly all the way down the straight, he repelled a decent field with a bit to spare.

Not quite getting home over further on his next two starts, testing ground on each occasion probably was the root cause of his downfall but now returning to a surface that will help him preserve his stamina, a big run is anticipated providing Ronan Whelan doesn’t blast him from the front as he did at Leopardstown last time out.