Wednesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

KARAKORAM (best price 6/1) ran as though he’s crying out for a return beyond the two miles he attempted here last time and with connections seemingly taking a similar view, Grace Harris’ gelding can win for the second time in his career over today’s track.

A fairly consistent sort in recent times, the son of Excelabration gained one of just three career victories over today’s course back in March and since then he’s gone on to run a series of fine races in defeat. Returning to the Welsh venue eight days ago, the seven-year-old came from a long way back to claim a respectable third behind the well-fancied Walkinthewoods and that effort backed up a similar performance in a race which has worked out well since at Warwick.

On the evidence of both those two displays, today’s 2m3f journey will play more into his strengths and while he’s by no means bet of the century material, he rates a strong each-way choice given so many things in his favour.

TIGER CRUSADE (best price 6/1) did about as well as could be expected in the circumstances at Chelmsford last time out and now returning to a track where both of his two all-weather victories have taken place, David Simcock’s gelding rates the value call in what looks a wide open contest.

Rearing slightly as the stalls crashed back at the Essex venue 48 days ago, the five-year-old found himself with a mountain to climb as the field turned out of the back straight and although he could never land a blow at the main players in the final two furlongs, he finished off his race well enough to offer plenty of promise for the future.

A regular at Class 2 level, it’s worth pointing out the last time he was eased slightly in grade he ended up running out a comfortable winner over tonight’s course and with a good draw and likely strong pace to shoot at, the son of No Nay Never can reward each-way support.