Tuesday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

BRANSON MISSOURI (NAP) (best price 15/8) absolutely blew her rivals away at Worcester last time out and even though Shaun Lycett’s inmate steps up to Class 3 level for the first time, she’s strongly fancied to complete her hat trick.

In cracking form since joining new connections, the six-year-old mare began her winning spree when landing a gamble at the Midland venue back in August and following a 57-day break, she made light work of an even more competitive field over the same C&D. Taken wide by Tom Scudamore throughout – tactics that might not be a bad idea here today - it was clear from a long way from home she was travelling all over her 15 rivals and maintaining the gallop all the way to the line, she went on to score by a long-looking 22 lengths.

Another point worth raising for the purpose of today’s race, Branson Missouri beat Icare Grandchamp by a big margin using the final circuit sectionals they achieved over the same C&D 19 days ago, so it would be a surprise if the selection couldn’t uphold the form even allowing for the fact Gary Moore’s inmate might be all the better for his seasonal bow.

Raised 13lb subsequently, there’s a definite case to be made she actually got away quite lightly with that assessment and having won now twice when the mud has been flying, today’s easy underfoot conditions should enable her to run to maximum capacity.

JACK DARCY (best price 5/2) has yet to race on an all-weather surface, but providing he does take to his new venture, Oliver and Paul Cole’s gelding has the form to cause some damage at this level.

A convincing winner on his seasonal debut at Newbury, the son of Gleneagles was then pitched into the deep end of the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on his next outing and considering he was the lowest rated of the field at the time, his performance in finishing fourth had to go down as an excellent return. Since then, the likes of New London, Hoo Ya Mal, Deauville Legend, Cresta, Al Qareem and West Wind Blows have all gone on to boost the form at a higher level and even though he’s one of only a few who hasn’t managed to go on and win, his two subsequent efforts all read well in the context of today’s race.

Although only fifth of eight at Newmarket last time, the combination of a stellar line-up and very strong pace on soft ground proved his undoing, but now racing on a terrain that should complement his action, the lightly-raced three-year-old might just turn out to have too much quality for his opposition.