Monday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

MAJOR FORTUNE (best price 6/1) confirmed the promise of his debut second in a Taunton bumper in March with another solid effort at Uttoxeter last time out and with the figures from that above-average affair at the Midland venue suggesting he’d taken a huge step forward, Tom Lacey’s gelding rates the value call at the morning prices. 

Outpaced at a crucial stage on his opening bow at the West Country venue, the son of Soldier Of Fortune did keep on well in the closing stages to suggest he has a bright future and that valuable experienced he gained that day allowed him to sharpen up and race more prominently next time. Unfortunately, he couldn’t quite go with the front two as they found a bit more natural pace than he did in the closing stages, but as both Go To War and Fingle Bridge are regarded as really nice prospects by their respective connections, his performance has to go down as a commendable one.

Well clear of the rest and with the time figure suggesting it was a quality bumper run at a proper gallop, the four-year-old will obviously need all his knowledge and qualities to compete with the likes of Brentford Hope and Earth Sky on hurdling debut. However, he has left the impression on bot his two starts he’s the type of horse who will run through a brick wall for you and that trait can serve him well not only for today, but in future. Nice prospect. 

FENNEY BROOK (NAP) (best price 3/1) just lost in a protracted dual with Tiger Orchid over today’s course last time out, but with the drop back in trip seen as a positive move regarding her chances on her return to the Shropshire venue, there’s every chance Henry Daly’s mare can make amends. 

A convincing winner on her first run of the season at Hexham, the daughter of Sulamani was a strong fancy to take the step up to three miles in her stride here a month later and although she looked like repeating the dose for majority of the journey, in the end she was just edged out of the argument close home. 

Despite what must have been a frustration experience for her connections, it was still another solid performance by this improving six-year-old and hailing from a yard who is currently running at a 33% strike rate, the locally-trained mare can keep up the good work. 

AMERICAN JERRY (best price 7/2), having not raced since April, has to prove his fitness but, with the hope he will be somewhere close to his best on his return to action, Hughie Morrison’s gelding is taken to back up his previous C&D when last seen.

After running well in a series of useful novice hurdles, the six-year-old finally gained his just rewards with a deserved victory at Catterick, then after bombing out on soft ground over 2m4f at Sandown, he bounced back in the right direction here on his final outing of the campaign.

Clearly better served by the minimum trip that day, it’s also worth noting the son of Americain managed to post his fastest speed figure so far to date and with underfoot conditions drying out all the time, everything looks set fair for a bold show.