Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MASTERS LEGACY (best price 6/1) shaped pretty well on his first run back after wind surgery in The Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month and even though today’s test is a bit of a baptism of fire for his chase debut, a chance is taken on Philip Hobbs’ gelding being equal to the task.

A smart novice, the son of Getaway had struggled to regain some of his best form in recent times, so it was good to see him back to something approaching his best at the Welsh venue. Coming back after a 203-day break, he understandably got a little tired in the closing stages of what was a well-run affair and with the form working out accordingly since, it’s fair to say he ran better than first feared on the day. 
How he will take to his new discipline is anyone’s guess, but the fact his connections are willing to throw him into the deep end suggests they are confident his jumping will cut the mustard and if so, there’s no doubt he has the ability to feature with a decent round. 

MR TREVOR (best price 9/2) has pieced together a very convincing portfolio on the all-weather of late and that level of consistency has a fine chance of being extended over a C&D that brought about a significant amount of improvement four starts ago. 

Fourth on his first start at today’s track over six furlongs this time last year, the son of Kodi Bear returning to the scene of that fine effort two months ago, and with an extra furlong to race over, he ended running out a comfortable winner. 

Just as good at Southwell next time over the same trip, a slight bump in the road occurred back on the turf at Catterick, but he was soon back on track on his latest visit to the Midland venue 15 days ago. In a race noted for its strong pace throughout, Ann Duffield’s gelding looked a likely winner until picked off late on by the patiently-ridden Eligible, but with the time figure very good for the grade and the front three well clear, the form appeared extremely solid. Indeed, the third horse home, Yoshimi, gave the race a glowing endorsement with a victory at Chelmsford last night and with everything looking set fair in terms of pace and draw, the four-year-old is strongly fancied to be a major factor.

TURF RANGE (best price 8/1) shaped better than his finishing position suggests on his first outing for the guts of a year here last time out and with the strong likelihood that David Broad’s gelding will prove all the better for the run, he’s fancied to play more of an active role. 

Having no choice but to be dropped right out the back due to his coffin box wide draw, the son of Canford Cliffs still found himself with fresh air behind him as the field rounded the home turn, but despite facing an uphill struggle to reel in the front runners, he still managed to salvage something from the wreckage by staying on to finish a never-nearer fifth. 

Based on that evidence, a return to a more suitable trip would be one of chief requirements going forward and with the six-year-old being a dual C&D prior to the break, that view is likely to be played out from his much more favourable draw.