Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

An above-average-looking novice hurdle with virtually all of the participants held in fairly high regard and of the eight due to go to post, DON HOLLOW (best price 13/2) and MASTER CHEWY (best price 5/1) showed enough on their respective debuts to warrant an interest second time around. 

The former was well-touted prior to making his hurdling bow at Wetherby last month and although he didn’t quite live up to his star billing, he still came out of the race with plenty of positives. Having his first outing for 265 days, Dan Skelton’s gelding loomed up to hold every chance turning for home, but after hitting a bit of a flat spot – presumably blowing up – he kept on well for minimal pressure on the run-in. 

Leaving the distinct impression he would be all the better for the run, the son of Soldier Hollow hails from a stable whose horses are now in flying form and with the scope to improve significantly as the season progresses, today’s contest provides him the perfect platform to back up that view.

The latter ran with great credit in a hot novice event at Chepstow on his first outing of the campaign and with the form of the race already beginning to work out well, a big run is anticipated from Nigel Twiston Davies’ gelding. 

Placed in three bumpers last season, the son of Walk In The Park returned to action after a 221-day break and despite being up against a smart field of novices, some with big reputations, he managed to maintain his consistent level of form with an excellent effort on hurdling debut. Always up with the pace, the five-year-old only succumbed to the big two in the betting after the last, but with there being a big gap back to subsequent winner, Timeforatune, it’s clear we are dealing with one of the strongest races of its kind so far this season. 

Likely to be all the better for that initial outing, this likeable and honest type looks almost certain to run his race.

ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (NAP) (best price 5/2) ran as though the 2m4f journey on his first outing for 204 days just stretched him to the limited in a useful handicap at Aintree last time out, but with connections seemingly alive to that notion, the drop back to the minimum trip should end up making all the difference.

Neil King’s gelding enjoyed a stellar second season over hurdles, the highlight being when he captured a listed intermediate handicap at Newbury’s Ladbroke Trophy meeting, and following that excellent effort, he rounded off his campaign by acquitting himself with great credit in both the Imperial Cup and Scottish Champion Hurdles respectively.

With the greatest respect to today’s opponents, none of them can lay claim to running to that sort of level and having impressed with the way he travelled for the majority of the journey at the Merseyside venue, his class and high cruising speed are likely to be too much for the rest to handle. 

DOUBLE MARTINI (best price 13/2) did really well to finish as close up as he did here last time out and providing he can break a little cleaner than he has done on of late, John McConnell’s gelding can add to his strong all-weather portfolio. 

An eye-catcher the time before over the same C&D, once again the son of Mastercraftsman found himself with a mountain to climb after totally missing the break, but with a powerful late surge in the home straight, he somehow managed to salvage something from the wreckage to end up finishing a respectable third. Interestingly, his latest set of figures were by some way his best, so it simply all boils down to whether he jumps out on terms or not. If he does, he’s easily good enough to beat a field of this modest nature. 

EXQUISTE ACCLAIM (best price 13/2) has yet to strike it rich for current connections, but there were signs here last time that they wouldn’t have to wait too much longer and, on a surface that clearly brings out the best in Ado McGuinness’ gelding, he rates a strong each-way alternative to the well-touted Hotrocket. 

A total no-show on his first two outings on the grass since returning to action from a 91-day break, the three-year-old returned to a surface where he’d featured prominently in the past (for figures of 142) and despite being poorly drawn, he managed to maintain his excellent all-weather stats with another strong place finish. 

Staying on nicely from an uncompromising position, the son of Acclamation left the impression he would have played a more significant role but for being drawn in stall 15, and now much better off as far as the ballot is concerned (stall 8), he can hopefully work himself into a position whereby he’s closer to the pace turning for home. The excellent Adam Caffrey in the plate is also seen as a massive bonus. 

SILVERSCAPE (best price 10/3) could never really land a significant blow in the final of the London Middle Distance Series here last time out, but he still comes out extremely well based on his numbers that night and now in this slightly less taxing environment, a better early track position should see him more competitive. 

Shuffled back through the pack in the early stages 18 days ago, the pace was so strong he never had chance to regather his thoughts, but he was noted doing some sterling late work that dragged him to a podium finish at the death and that stamina might come in handy over tonight’s extra furlong. 

Top of tonight’s figures based on that performance, the wind op he underwent prior to that display clearly worked and providing he’s a little more alert in the early exchanges than he was last time, Roger Teal’s gelding can play a significant role in the final outcome.