Friday Racing Tips from Andy Holding

PAINT THE DREAM (best price 3/1) ultimately came up short of the requirements needed for Grade 2 level against Bravemansgame and Co on his latest start, but he did go well for a long way, and now dropping back down to a more suitable level at a track where he has gone well in the past, Fergal O’Brien’s inmate can strut his stuff from the front. 

Racing over three miles for the first time, there was always going to be a doubt whether he could last it out going the gallop he often sets and although that notion turned out to be the case, he gave it a good lash until the second last. 

Best when ridden aggressively over 2m4f with some cut in the ground, it’s worth pointing out the eight-year-old is 2-2 at the Berkshire track and with it pretty much certain that he will be asked to boss his rivals on his return visit, another solid round of jumping should make him hard to catch. 

TRELAWNE (best price 2/1) proved a bitter disappointment the last time we saw him, but with the strong feeling he will leave that performance well behind him during the course of this term, Kim Bailey’s gelding rates a confident choice to get back on track. 

Sent to Exeter to contest what looked a strong maiden hurdle on paper for his debut, the son of Gerodieland went on to prove his odds of 16-1 were massively wide of the mark and with the speed figure backing up the visual aspect of his 18-length romp, it was easy to see why he was a warm order to repeat the dose back at the West Country venue on his return visit. 

Unfortunately for him and his supporters, any chance he might have had after the last was lost due to his propensity to veer violently out to the left close home and in the end he could only manage third of the four-strong field. Clearly much better than what he showed that day, the six-year-old should be better suited by going left handed and, having been handed what looks a more than workable mark based on his first effort, hopefully he will be fit enough after his 259-day layoff to take advantage. 

LISIEUX (best price 7/4) ran better than the bare result suggested at Naas on her final outing on turf and with the possibility of tonight’s surface being more suitable for Ado McGuinness’ filly, she makes plenty of appeal in a bad race. 

A comfortable winner of a competitive nursery at the Co Kildare venue previously, the daughter of Camacho faced a tougher standard of opponent on her return visit and although she could only manage fifth in an 11-strong field, she actually did quite well to finish as close up as she did having tracked the wrong group when they split after two furlongs (first three home draw 1,2 and 3). 

The fact she kept on so well in the latter stages despite rowing against the tide suggests she has a decent attitude – one far removed from one you’d associate with a claimer – and with today’s step up in trip and decent inside all seen as positives, it would something of a surprise if she wasn’t vying for top honours.

DANDYVILLE (NAP) (best price 6/4) arrives here at the peak of his powers based on his performance here last week and providing he gets a smooth passage throughout tonight’s similar contest, the son of Dandy Man rates a strong choice to keep the ball rolling for his in-form handler.

Placed on his two previous starts over the same course, Natalia Lupini’s gelding was a warm order to finally get off the mark on the all-weather and although the end result may have appeared a regulation one at first glance, a deeper analysation into his display points towards his effort being far more meritorious. 
Drawn towards the outside in stall 16, with the short run to the first bend at the Co Lough track, he was forced to race out on the wing for the entirety of the home bend and yet despite giving away a countless amount ground, he still had the necessary reserves to win going away. Moreover, his overall speed figure and, in particular, his backend sectionals were extremely good for the grade, suggesting that he’s a good bit better than his current assessment would imply. 

Better drawn tonight and, barring Hodd’s Girl, up against a field who by and large have unconvincing profiles, the four-year-old chestnut is taken to follow up his smooth win nine days ago.