Sunday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

Some familiar names on show in what looks a competitive staying chase on paper and of those who know a thing or two about the demands of this track, BACK ON THE LASH (best price 11/2) and EVA’S OSKAR (best price 9/1) stand out as the two value candidates at the morning odds.

Connections of the former will no doubt be ruing the fact the X-country race has been scrapped due to unsuitably fast ground on the inner track – conditions he would have enjoyed – but nonetheless, this still looks a decent opportunity for him to score at this meeting for the second time.

Having his first run back after 146 days off the track, Martin Keithley’s gelding performed pretty well over 2m4f for a horse that usually excels over a mile further and that effort behind the useful Finisk River at Worcester 51 days ago should mean he comes here fit and raring to go.

The latter should also be all the better for his opening gambit of the season at Kelso recently and he too, now faces a track more compliant with his overall profile. A solid runner-up to the progressive Corach Rambler over the New Course last December, that effort proved the demands of Prestbury Park offer no fears and having seemingly shown a fair degree of focus since fitted with a visor, another solid display should be forthcoming with the headgear once again in place.

No doubt all eyes will be on Ferny Hollow as he makes his eagerly-awaited return after an enforced layoff, but whether he deserves to be so short in the betting up against his old rival RIVIERE D’ETEL (best price 9/2) is open to debate and at the prices, the latter easily makes the most appeal.

One of last season’s top novice chasers, Gordon Elliott’s mare began her campaign in exemplary fashion when scoring in decisive fashion at Fairyhouse and following another stylish performance at a higher level at Punchestown, she went on to produce her best display over today’s course.

Well-backed to get the better of Ferny Hollow in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown next time, she just couldn’t quite dominate in the manner she had on her three previous outings and in the end, she had to settle for a gallant second. Unlucky in her next start over the same C&D when a bad mistake at the last cost her dear, she proved all the rage in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham festival to confirm the view she would have won that day, but unfortunately for her legion of supporters, she produced her only lacklustre display of the entire campaign, finishing a slightly disappointing fifth after doing too much in the early part of the race.

Not staying the trip on her final start at Punchestown, she now reverts back to her optimum of two miles fresh and raring to go and with no doubt connections dead set on making this a proper examination with a view to testing the favourite’s fitness and wellbeing, the daughter of Martaline rates the value call.

The roll of honour for this sought-after prize suggests young, up-and-coming hurdlers often hold sway and of those who fall neatly into that category, GIN COCO (NAP) (best price 4/1) appeals one of the most likely to take advantage of his current mark.

Extremely well-backed to capture an ultra-competitive handicap at the Punchestown Festival on only his fourth career start, Harry Fry’s inmate came out of that contest with nothing but positive vibes despite suffering a narrow defeat and it was a performance that gave connections hope of landing a big one over this side of The Irish Sea at some stage this term.

Landing a relatively modest novice event at Newton Abbot recently told us nothing we didn’t already know about the son of Cokoriko but it did at least serve the purpose of for one, blowing away the cobwebs, and secondly, keeping his handicap mark of 131 intact. Of course, he’s not the only one in today’s field that falls in line with the theory he could still be extremely well treated but whereas one or two might like the ground to be a little softer, the quick surface which has been in the ascendancy over the last few days can tip the balance of power in his favour.